THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


Chesterfield  County 

Economic  and  Social 


ISOM  TEAL 

A.  L.  CAMPBELL 

CLAUDE  A.  SHERRILL 


University  of  South  Carolina 

Pflgeland   Board  of  Trade 

June  1922 


Bulletin  University  of  South  Carolina — Issued  Monthly. 
No.  in.  July  1922.     Second  Class  Mail  Matter. 


CHESTERFIELD  COUNTY 

Economic  and  Social 


ISOM  TEAL 

A.  L.  CAMPBELL 

CLAUDE  A.  SHERRILL 


A  Laboratoy  Study  in  the  Department  of  Rural  Social  Science 
of  the  University  of  South  Carolina, 

JUNE  1922 


v> 


i* 


o 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


Ac K  NOWLKDC.  M  KNTS 

FOREWOKJ) 7 

I       A   BrIKF  lIlSTOKY  OF  ClIESTERFIKLD  COUXTY 0 

II     Xattk-XL  Uksoiiu  i:s  and  I  ndI'striks   17 

Geography — Climate — Soils — Minerals — Timber — Indus- 
tries— The  Railroad  Situation — Raw  Products — Capital 
and  Laboi'. 

1 1 1     Facts  About  the  Folks  25 

Total  Population — Density  of  Population — Rural  and 
Urban^ — Color    and    Nativity — Illiteracy^ — Vital    Statis- 


y.j  tics — Church    IMemberships. 

>-         I ^'     Schools 32 

^'  Rank    of    S'chools    in    State    and    Nation — One    Teacher 

Schools — Neg'ro    Schools. 


\'     AVealth  AM)  Taxatiox    41 

An    Agricultural      County — ^Tenancy      and      Mortgage 
£«  Debts — Our       Textile         Mills — Automobiles — Banks — 

If)  Liberty   Ponds — Taxation. 

o  yi     Chesterfield  Aoricultcre  4S 

Farms — Idle  Land — Use  of  Faim  Machinei-y — The  Fi- 
nancial Aspect — Livestock  and  Poultry — Crop  Re- 
turns— Cotton — Corn — Oats — Farm    Tenancy — Depend- 

Q  ence  on  Cotton — Boll   Weevil  Menace — Our  Viewpoint. 


V 1 1     Food  and  Feed  Production-  CO 


O  Chesterfield  County's  Food  and  Feed  Shortag'e — Short- 

,  ag:e    in    Detail — Reasons    for    Deficit    in    Home    Grown 


Supplies — Hov/  Conditions  May  Be  Improved. 

yj\  I     Evidences  of  1'kogress    71 

Agriculture — Cooperation — Chesterfield  County  Fair 
— Organization  of  Poultry  Raisers — Fruit  Growing — 
Chesterfield's  Highway.^ — Pageland — Town  of  Ches- 
terfield. 

IX    Chesterfield  County  Problems  SI 

Education — Economic  Shortcomings — Diversification 
of    Crops — Cooperative    Marketing — Looking    Ahead. 

References    Srt 


449G2G 


X 


L, 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 


We  are  indebted  to  Mv.  Roy  L.  Hurst  and  Mr.  James  E.  Millard 
for  preparing  "A  Brief  History  of  Chesterfield  County ;"  to  Mr. 
Charles  L.  Hunley  for  the  articles  on  "Chesterfield  County  High- 
ways," "Chesterfield  County  Fair,"  and  the  "Organization  of  Poul- 
try Raisers ;"  to  Mr.  I'aul  H.  Hearu  for  the  account  of  the  "Town 
of  Chesterfield ;"  to  Mr.  J.  D.  Sexton  for  the  article  on  "Fruit  Grow- 
ing;" and  to  Mr.  C.  M.  Tucker  and  Dr.  J.  D.  Colson  for  the  write-up 
on  "Pageland." 

Mr.  J.  N.  McBride.  Development  Agent  of  the  Scalioard  Air  Line 
Railway,  generously  contributetl  two  pictures  of  peach  orchards  near 
McBee.  The  Pageland  Board  of  Trade  furnished  a  picture  of  the 
Pageland  High  School  building.  Mr.  William  Godfrey  supplied  lis 
with  some  valuable  historical  data. 

The  expense  of  publishing  and  distributing  this  bulletin  was  borne 
by  our  advertisers,  the  University  of  South  Carolina,  the  Pageland 
Board  of  Trade,  and  three  individual  contributors.  Dr.  J.  T.  Ladd, 
Mr.  Henry  Wannamaker,  and  Dr.  F.  S.  Blair. 

To  Dr.  Wilson  Gee,  Professor  of  Rural  Social  Science  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  South  Carolina,  should  go  the  credit  for  having  this  work 
undertaken.  Its  completion  was  also  due  to  his  efforts,  both  of  a 
supervisory  nature  and  in  supplementary  writing. 

Quite  a  number  of  public-spirited  citizens  of  the  county  made 
.suggestions  that  proved  helpful,  as  well  as  cooperating  in  other  ways. 
We  wish  to  express  our  appreciation  to  all  those  rendering  assistance. 

ISOM  TEAL. 
A.  L.  CAMPBELL. 
CLAUDE  A.  SHERRH^L. 
University  of  South  Carolina, 
May  22,  1«J22. 


FOREWORD 


Wilson  Gi:e 


Professor  of  Rural  Social  Science, 
University  of  South  Carolina 

A  kn()\vk'(l.i:o  of  inafluMnatics  is  necessary  to  an  intelligent  applica- 
tion of  the  laws  of  the  science.  We  live  amid  an  environment  aox- 
erniMl  hy  the  natural  laws  of  i)hysics.  chemistry  and  hiolojiy.  Had  not 
some  more  thoughtful  and  energetic  than  the  most  of  us  are  applied 
themselves  to  a  study  and  mastery  of  these  laws  and  their  practical 
utility,  we  sliould  have  heen  living  yet  as  primitive  man  did,  more 
or  less  completely  dependent  upon  the  vicissitudes  of  a  changing 
environment,  and  without  the  comforts  of  homes,  electric  lights,  tele- 
I)hones,  railroads,  automobiles,  radio  phones,  and  numerous  othe." 
material  things  making  up  a  great  part  of  the  civilization  of  today. 

The  same  principles  apply  to  the  life  of  a  county.  For  tliat  county 
to  progress  as  it  really  should,  some  more  interested,  enterprising 
and  thoughtful  along  these  lines  than  are  the  most  of  us,  must  spend 
their  time  balancing  the  resources  against  the  liabilities  and  telling 
us  just  where  a  particular  county  stands  among  the  sisterhood  of 
counties. 

The  following  study  made  iiy  Messrs.  Isoni  Teal.  A.  L.  Canipbell, 
and  Claude  A.  Sherrill.  students  in  the  University  of  South  Carolina 
and  native  sons  of  Chesterfield  Comity,  has  been  undertaken  with 
just  such  a  motive  in  view  that  it  would  at  least  be  the  fault  of  the 
citizen  of  that  county  if  he  did  not  know  the  much  about  Chester- 
field and  its  people  that  is  included  within  these  covers.  This  bulle- 
tin oil  Chesterfiehl  County  is  the  fourth  in  a  series  designed  eventu- 
ally to  cover  the  entire  State.  It  is  dedii-ated  to  the  citizenshii) 
of  Chesterfield  County  in  the  hope  that  the  inspiration  from  a  wnrlliy 
past  will  beget  a  nobler  future. 

I'liivci'sity  nl'  South   Carolina, 
-Mav  liL'.    I'.IL'L'. 


I. 

A  BRIEF  HISTORY  OF  CHESTERFIELD 
COUNTY 


James  E.  Millard. 
Roy  L.  Hurst. 


There  are  no  records  of  any  white  settlement  in  what  is  now 
known  as  Chesterfield  County  prior  to  the  year  1730.  Up  to  this 
time  this  territory,  which  had  been  made  the  upper  part  of  Craven 
county  in  1GS2,  was  an  unexplored  wilderness,  inhabited  by  certain 
tribes  of  Indians,  principally  the  Saraws  (Cheraws)  and  Kadapaws, 
who  had  been  subjected  by,  and  made  a  part  of  the  Catawbas  when 
they  moved  south  about  1650. 

Desiring  to  open  up  this  territory  and  promote  the  growth  of  the 
Pri)vince.  the  British  Government  in  1731  ordered  the  township  of 
Queensborough  to  be  marked  out,  and  offered  various  kinds  of  boun- 
ties to  induce  speedy  settlement.  This  township  was  located  just 
above  the  junction  of  the  Great  and  the  Little  Pee  Dee  Rivers,  and 
extended  up  the  west  bank  of  the  former  to  embrace  the  eastern  part 
of  the  present  Chesterfield  County. 

The  royal  bounties  soon  attracted  the  attention  of  a  colonj-  of 
Welsh  Baptists  in  Newcastle  County,  Delaware,  who  had  come  over 
from  Wales  to  Penepec,  Pennsylvania,  in  1701,  and  moved  from 
thence  to  new  lands  in  Delaware  about  1703. 

The  first  of  these  came  to  the  Pee  Dee  in  1736,  and  after  obtaining 
a  large  grant  of  land  extending  from  below  Mars  Bluff  up  the  river 
to  the  fork  of  the  Yadkin  and  Rocky  Rivers,  began  to  make  per- 
manent settlements.  By  the  end  of  1737  practically  the  whole  colony 
had  arrived. 

The  British  Government  continued  its  liberal  policy,  and  by  1743 
the  number  of  settlers  had  been  greatly  increased,  most  of  them 
still  of  the  Welsh  stock.  The  settlements  were  pushed  slowly  but 
steadily  up  the  river,  in  spite  of  the  hardships  and  dangers  which 
these  sturdy  pioneers  had  to  face. 

Soon  other  settlers  of  English,  Scotch,  and  Irish  stock  began  to 
move  up  the  river  from  the  coastal  regions,  and  a  new  element  was 
added  to  the  population.  This  influx  of  people  continued  steadily 
until  the  op'.Miing  years  of  the  Resolution,  some  coming  up  from  the 
lower  jNirts  of  the  State,  and  others  moving  down  from  Virginia. 


10       Chesterfield   County:   Economic  and   Social 

From  these  first  families  of  Welsh,  English,  Irish,  ami  Scotch 
peoples,  who  were  simple,  sturdy,  sober,  and  pious  to  a  marked 
degree,  have  descended  most  of  the  present  families  in  this  county. 
These  different  elements  gradually  intermingled  in  later  years,  so 
that  each  has  now  to  a  large  extent  lost  its  national  characteristics, 
but  nearly  all  the  family  names  of  today  can  be  easily  traced  back  to 
these  worthy  forbears. 

^Vith  increased  population  and  better  organization  came  steady 
growth  in  progress  and  prosperity.  Slavery  was  introduced,  Thomas 
Ellerby  being  the  first  slave-holder  of  whom  there  is  any  record,  and 
continued  to  be  one  of  the  great  sources  of  wealth  until  the  Civil 
War.  And  with  prosperity  came  restiveness  under  British  dominion, 
a  growing  desire  for  liberty  and  freedom  from  the  injustices  his 
Majesty's  government  was  beginning  to  inflict.  The  causes  of  this 
widespread  dissastisfaction  need  not  be  enumerated.  Suffice  it  to 
say  that  when  the  conflict  finally  burst  forth,  these  settlers  were 
as  ready  to  throw  off  the  yoke  of  oppression  as  they  had  formerly 
been  loyal  to  their  king. 

The  first  definite  governmental  organization  was  effectetl  in  176S 
when  St.  David's  Parish  was  established.  By  the  Circuit  Courts 
Act  of  1700  Cheraw  District  was  laid  off.  annual  courts  created,  and 
officers  appointed  by  the  Crown.  Though  parochial  organization  was 
entirely  inadequate  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  time,  it  temporarily 
relieved  the  tension,  and  so  continued  until  county  organization  and 
government  wore  instituted. 

During  the  struggle  for  freedom  no  important  engagements  took 
place  within  the  present  boiuids  of  Chesterfield  County.  A  regiment 
of  British  soldiers  under  Major  McArthur  was  for  a  time  stationed 
at  Cheraw,  and  skirmishes  between  it  and  Colonel  Powell's  regiment 
were  numerous.  These,  together  with  occasional  forays  by  both 
Whigs  and  Tories,  constituted  the  extent  of  warfare  in  this  territory. 

With  the  return  of  peace  in  1782  prosperity  began  to  reassert  itself. 
St.  David's  Academy,  which  had  been  erected  on  the  site  of  the 
present  church  of  that  name  about  1777.  commenced  to  assume  dis- 
tiiKtidn,  and  a  great  interest  in  education  was  revived.  In  fact,  the 
couDty  might  bo  said  to  have  entered  into  the  second  period  of  its 
history.  New  .iikI  valual)le  additions  to  pojiulation  were  being  con- 
stantly made,  and  almnt  this  time,  or  shoi-tly  liefore.  appeared  some 
of  the  names  f)f  llic  more  prominent  faiuilics ;  MiiKuig  tlicin  being 
the  names  of  Ciaig  and  Chairman. 

In  1785  by  an  act  of  the  (Jeneral  Asscnihly  (-(Piiiit  ics  were  created. 
Clieiaw  District  was  divided  into  three  parts  and  the  present  Clies- 
tcrticld  Cdtnity  came  into  existeiu-e,  lieing  named  in  honor  of  the 
lOarl  of  ( 'licstcrlicld.     Its  boundaries  were  as  follows:   P.cginning  at 


ChESTEIU'IKLI)    ColNTV:     KcoNO.MIC    AND    SoCIAL  11 

the  mouth  of  Cedar  Creek,  on  I'ee  Dee  River,  thence  up  to  the  head 
of  the  southerniiio.st  branch  of  the  said  creelv.  thence  l).v  direct  line  to 
tlie  fork  of  Lynches'  Uiver,  thence  u\>  said  river  to  the  State  line, 
thence  along  State  line  to  I'ee  Dee  River,  thence  hack  down  Pee  Dee 
River  to  the  mouth  of  Cedar  Creek.  These  boundaries  embrace 
approximately  nine  hundred  square  miles. 

By  the  same  Act  county  courts  were  created  and  the  justice.s 
empowered  to  select  a  site  for  and  erect  a  court  house,  and  to  levy 
taxes  for  the  same.  The  site  of  the  present  court  house  was  selected 
as  being  most  suitable.  The  county  courts  were  to  be  held  once  in 
every  three  months,  their  jurisdiction  in  criminal  cases  lieing  very 
limited,  but  in  civil  cases  extending  to  the  hearing  and  determination 
of  all  causes  at  common  law.  Owing  to  the  chaos  of  the  period  just 
after  the  Revolution,  suits  were  exceedingly  numerous. 

From  the  v^ry  beginning  of  its  existence  as  a  legislative  entity, 
Chesterfield  County  has  made  slow  but  steady  strides  in  progress. 
In  1800  its  poiiulation  was  o21(),  nearly  one-third  bein<j;  negroes.  In 
1880  the  population  was  16.345,  almost  one-half  of  which  were 
negroes.     In  1020  its  population  was  .^1,060. 

Cheraw,  named  after  the  aborigines  who  formerly  occupied  this 
district,  is  the  oldest  and  largest  town  in  Chesterfield  County.  The 
tirst  settlement  was  probably  made  Iktc  about  1752  and  was  known 
as  Cheraw  Hill.  It  was  laid  out  as  a  town  in  1TG6  by  Eli  and  Joseph 
Kershaw,  and  in  1775  was  given  the  name  of  Chatham,  in  honor  of 
the  first  Earl  of  that  name,  which  name  it  bore  until  its  incorpora- 
tion in  1821. 

Situated  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Pee  Dee,  thus  l)eing  in 
direct  touch  with  Georgetown  and  Charleston  by  steamboat,  and  hav- 
ing an  important  post  road  running  through  the  town,  it  early 
developed  an  extensive  trade  with  the  surrounding  country,  par- 
ticularly the  back  country  of  North  Carolina.  Yet  despite  these 
numerous  advantages  it  grew  slowly  until  after  its  incorporation,  at 
which  time  it  contained  about  400  inhabitants.  It  was  from  the 
first  noted  for  the  wealth  and  culture  of  its  people.  The  St.  David's 
Academy  was  long  (listinguisbcil  ;is  diic  of  the  best  in  the  State,  and 
St.  David's  Ccnieti'iy.  in  wbi'li  lie  many  Revolutionary  soldiers  is 
probably  one  of  thi'  most  historic  and  scenic  places  exLsting  in  South 
Carolina  today.  The  town  has  an  aggregate  of  more  tiian  fifteen 
miles  of  streets.  The  full-grown,  mitive  shade  trees  which  have  been 
allowed  to  grow  along  the  streets,  render  them  delightful  drives  and 
walks,  and  add  a  touch  of  natural  beauty  to  the  town.  Although  no 
longer  connected  with  (Georgetown  and  Charleston  by  I)oat  line,  Cheraw 
still  nniintains  an  excellent  trade  witli  the  rest  of  tlie  Stare  and  sur- 
rounding country.     Situated  as  it  is  on  lines  of  both  the  Seaboard 


1£       ChestkkI'  iKLD  County  :   Economic  and   Social. 

Air  Line  and  Atlantic  Coast  Line  railroads,  it  is  virtually  the  gate- 
way of  all  the  trade  within  the  county.  In  recent  years  a  cotton 
mill,  knitting  mill  and  several  other  manufacturing  industries  have 
been  established  there.  The  population  at  the  last  census  numbered 
8,150.  Cheraw  is  indeed  one  of  the  thriving  towns  of  the  State,  and 
especially  of  the  Pee  Dee  section. 

Chesterfield,  the  second  largest  town  in  the  county,  was  n,imed 
after  the  district,  and  became  the  seat  of  justice  about  1826.  It  is 
located  on  the  south  side  of  Thompson's  Creek,  a  branch  of  the  Pee 
Dee  River,  about  twelve  miles  northwest  of  Cheraw.  In  1826  the 
village  contained  about  100  inhabitants,  twelve  houses,  and  two 
stores ;  a  handsome  brick  court  house  was  in  course  of  erection.  The 
people  wisely  allowed  a  grove  of  native  trees  to  remain  standing  in 
the  rear  of  the  court  house  greatly  adding  to  the  town's  appearance, 
which  was  already  very  neat  and  orderly.  The  town  grew  slowly, 
l)ut  its  progioss  was  sure.  It  was  incorporated  February  5,  1872, 
with  about  200  inhabitants.  Until  about  1900  the  county  seat  was 
connected  with  Cheraw  only  by  post  i-oad ;  then,  however,  the  Ches- 
terfield and  Lancaster  Railroad  was  built  through  the  town,  thereby 
opening  up  a  new  and  better  means  of  trade  with  Cheraw  and  the 
rest  of  the  State.  After  this  the  progress  of  the  town  was  more 
marked,  and  today  it  is  a  thriving  town  numbering  856  inhabitants. 

The  other  towns  in  the  county  were  chartered  at  various  later 
dates,  and  ai'e  all  rather  young  in  years  as  compared  with  Cheraw 
and  Chesterfield.  They  are  all  progressive,  although  the  progress  is 
rather  slow  at  times.  These  towns  owe  their  existence  almost 
entirely  to  agriculture,  and  especially  to  tbe  production  of  cotton, 
as  there  are  very  few  manufacturing  enterprises  in  the  county.  The 
opening  of  short-line  railroads,  and  even  of  highways,  have  a'ded 
greatly  in  the  development  of  the  towns  tbroughout  the  couury. 

When  the  War  Between  the  States  broke  out  in  1861.  the  county 
(iid  her  part  by  furnishing  men  and  supplies  to  the  Confederacy. 
Five  companies  were  organized  from  the  Chesterfield  district ;  Com- 
panies B,  C.  and  D  of  the  Eighth  Regiment  were  called  together  April 
34,  1861,  under  the  commands  of  M.  I.  Hough,  Wm.  C.  Coit,  and 
Jno.  S.  Miller  respectively.  The  remaining  two  companies  organized 
in  the  district  were  Companies  D  and  E  of  the  21st  Regiment,  South 
Carolina  Volunteer  Infantry.  The  county  itself  was  the  scene  of 
Aery  little  actual  fighting.  On  the  2nd  of  March,  1865,  General 
Siicrnijin,  on  his  famous  "march  to  the  sea,"  enteretl  the  county  seat, 
Chesterfield ;  there  his  tro<^ps  engaged  in  a  skirmish  with  Butler's 
Cavalry,  which  gave  way  rapidly.  Early  on  the  morning  of  March 
3rd  tlie  Union  troops  moved  out  of  Chesterfield,  forded  Thompson's 
Creek,  and  at  the  top  of  the  hill  beyond  struck  tlie  road  to  Cheraw. 


Chestkim  iKi.i)  C(»inty:  P^coxomic  and  Social         1'^ 

At  Choraw  they  found  an  ininicnsc  amount  ot  ( 'onfiulcrate  military 
supplies  which  had  been  nioveil  there  when  Charleston  was  evacu- 
ated ;  these  were  used  or  destroyed  by  the  Federal  soldiers.  The 
detachment  remained  in  Cheraw  until  the  6th  of  March,  at  which 
time  the  march  on  Fayetteville  was  resumed.  Outside  of  these  inci- 
dents the  county  was  never  molested  by  the  activities  of  the  war. 
\or  did  tlie  district  snfl'er  seriously  from  the  Reconstruction;  so  far 
as  can  be  ascertained  there  was  very  little,  if  any.  trouble  between 
the  whites  and  the  negroes,  during  that  iieriod  when  the  majority 
of  the  South  was  suffering. 

The  progress  of  the  county  has  been  much  more  marked  and  rapid 
since  the  opening  of  railroad  lines  through  it.  The  first  mention  we 
have  of  a  railroad  in  the  county  is  the  Cheraw  and  Darlington  Rail- 
road which  connected  at  Cheraw  with  the  railroad  to  Salisbury, 
North  Carolina  ;  this  road  was  constructed  some  time  prior  to  1883, 
and  was  later,  in  1807,  consolidated  with  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  of 
South  Carolina.  In  1883  the  Chester  and  Cheraw  Railroad  was  com- 
pleted to  Lancaster,  and  partially  graded  between  that  point  and 
Cheraw ;  this  line  was  never  completed,  however.  A  gap  of  eighteen 
miles  remained  to  be  built  between  Cheraw  and  Hamlet,  North  Caro- 
lina, which  would  complete  what  was  considered  to  be  the  shortest 
line  from  Augusta,  Ga.,  to  Richuutnd,  Ya.  On  December  24,  1889  the 
Chesterfield  and  Kershaw  Railroad  was  chartered,  ihe  route  being 
from  Cheraw  to  Camden.  South  Carolina.  Sometime  later  this  road 
together  with  the  completed  line  from  Cheraw  to  Hamlet,  North 
Carolina,  was  made  a  part  of  the  main  line  of  the  Seaboard  Air  Line 
Railway  system. 

There  were  two  railroads  constructed  into  the  interior  of  the 
county.  On  December  24.  1887  the  Chesterfield  and  Lancaster 
Railroad  was  chartered,  the  route  being  from  Cheraw  to  Lancaster, 
South  Carolina,  by  way  of  Chesterfield  Court  House.  This  road  was 
not  built  until  about  1900,  and  has  never  been  completed  through  to 
Lancaster,  the  terminus  at  present  being  the  town  of  Crowburk.  a 
fiw  miles  west  of  rageland.  The  Charlotte.  Monroe  and  Columbia 
Railroad  was  chartered  January  15.  1901.  its  route  to  be  from 
McBee,  to  some  point  on  the  northern  l>oundary  line  of  the  State, 
in  the  township  of  Old  Store  or  Mt.  Craghan,  this  point  to  be  oppo- 
site, or  nearly  opposite,  the  town  of  Monroe,  North  Carolina ;  the  line 
was  to  pass  through  the  townships  of  Alligator,  Jefferson,  Old  Store, 
and  probably  Mt.  Croghan.  The  road  was  constructe<l  as  far  as  the 
town  of  Jefferson,  but  has  never  been  extended  past  that  point.  Both 
the  Chesterfield  and  Lancaster  and  the  Charlotte.  Monroe  and  Colum- 
bia Railroads  have,  in  recent  years,  become  branch  lines  of  the  Sea- 
board  Air   Line  Railway.     In   spite  of  the  non-completion   of  these 


14       Chesterfield  County:   Ecoxo:mic  axd   Social 

roads,  the  interior  of  tlie  comity  lias  been  si'eatly  aided  by  tlieir 
cun:-.ti'Uctioii.  Tbey  linve  been  the  means  of  opening  up  new  sections. 
and  have  greatly  facilitated  the  transportation  of  and  trade  in 
cotton,  the  staple  product  of  the  entire  district. 

Little  can  be  ascertained  of  Chesterfield  County's  history  from  the 
close  of  the  Civil  War  to  the  opening  of  the  twentieth  century  or  even 
later.  There  are  no  facts  worthy  of  special  mention,  outsidrt  of  the 
opening  up  of  railroads  and  the  building  up  of  towns,  which  are  dis- 
cussed elsewhere  in  this  article.  The  county  took  no  special  part 
in  the  Spanish-American  War,  beyond  furnishing  a  number  of  men 
for  the  South  Carolina  Volunteer  Infantry.  The  county,  as  a  whole, 
griw  ;  lowly  l)ut  steadily  in  population  and  industries.  That  part  of 
the  district  aroiuid  Cher  aw  and  Chesterfield  outstripped  the  others, 
due.  in  all  probaltility,  to  the  fact  that  the  soil  in  that  section  was 
more  productive  than  elsewhere  in  the  county.  The  educational 
system,  we  regret  to  say,  was  sadl.v  neglected,  with  the  result  that 
Chesterfield  has  always  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  backward  coun- 
ties of  the  State. 

When  the  United  States  entered  the  World  War  in  1017.  the  county 
responded  loyally  to  the  various  "causes."  originated  by  the  war. 
Besides  furnishing  almost  a  thousand  men  for  government  service, 
it  did  its  part  in  the  Liberty  Loan  Drive.  Red  Cross,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and 
all  other  campaigns.  The  county  subscribed  a  total  of  $1,044,400  in 
the  Liberty  Loan  drives,  the  total  number  of  subscribers  being  4.o4!>. 
C('ini)any  I  of"  the  llstli  Infantry  was  organi/cd  in  ("heraw.  and 
was  made  up  almost  entirely  of  men  from  the  county.  The  comi)aiiy 
was  luider  the  command  of  Captain  William  L.  (iillespie  until  his 
promotion  to  major  of  the  Third  Battalion,  118th  Infantry.  Captain 
E.  Smytlie  Blake  was  then  placed  in  command.  The  total  number 
of  registrants  from  the  county  under  the  Selective  Service  system 
was  5,G66 ;  out  of  this  number  Sl.">  were  inducted  into  service.  Sev- 
eral of  the  men  won  the  coveted  Distinguished  Si'rvice  ^ledal  fctr 
extraordinary  heroism  on  Ibc  liattlcfield.  Company  I  was  in  the 
thick  <■;■  tlie  lighting  wlien  the  llindciiburg  Lin."  was  lu'di^cn.  and  tlie 
•county  may  well  lie  jiroud  of  evei-y  son  lliat  doiined  the  khaki  or 
the  I)lue. 

Since  liic  close  of  llie  war,  Chesterfield  County  luis  bei'n  confronted 
l»y  the  same  jji'olileins  tlnit  b.ave  affected  e\-ci-y  oilier  county  in  the 
St.-ite.  'i'lii-  lin;in'-ial  condition  has  been  somewhat  weakened  by  the 
rise  in  i)i-ice  of  everytliing  except  cotton.  ( )n  the  whole  the  economic 
<-oii(lif ions  have  not  been  of  the  best;  but  al  present  conditions  are 
rapidly  changing  for  the  better.  ;inil  the  county  is  moving  forward 
once  more,  more  nipidly  than  before  the  war. 


Chesterfield  i'uisry  :  Imonomm    and  S<»(  iai,         l.") 

From  its  begiuuijij,'  tlio  chief  industry  of  tlie  ((Hiiity  lias  In'ou  the 
cultivation  of  cotton.  Other  i-r<ii)s.  such  as  corn,  wheat,  and 
tobacco,  are  raised  rather  extensively  in  some  sections  of  the  county. 
An  extract  from  "A  Goorfrraphy  of  South  Carolina, "  by  Thomas  l\ 
Lookwood,  published  at  Chai'leston  in  l.^''.!',  says: 

"The  soil,  climate,  and  aspect  of  Chesterlield  District  is  remarkably 
adapted  to  the  cullure  of  the  vine,  and  nothing  but  a  lack  of  public 
spirit  in  the  wealthier  agriculturists  prevents  it  from  being  one  of 
the  finest  wine  countries  in  the  world." 

In  1826  cotton  .sold  in  Chestertield  County  for  ten  to  ten  and  one- 
half  cents  per  pound.  From  the  census  of  1883  we  find  that  there 
were  18,480  acres  planted  in  cotton,  and  7,7.'{.*>  bales  produced  in  the 
county.  Also  about  this  time  a  society,  of  which  there  were  several 
throughout  the  State,  was  established  in  Cheraw  for  the  promotion 
of  agriculture.  Ky  ]ss3,  Cheraw.  thr<Migh  which  nearly  all  the  cot- 
ton of  the  county  had  to  be  shipped,  was  shii)ping  about  10.000  bales 
annually.  At  this  time  the  ccmnty  had  six  towns  and  trading  set- 
tlements with  a  total  of  sixty-seven  stores ;  since  then  several  new 
towns  and  trading  settlements  have  been  built  up.  due  to  the  opening 
up  of  new  lands  in  the  district.  In  recent  years  it  has  Ijecome  not  only 
a  producer  but  also  a  consumer  of  cotton  :  a  cotton  mill  is  in  opera- 
tion at  Cheraw.  In  1918  the  county  consumed  3,(140  bales  of  cotton. 
The  total  production  in  1919  was  36,265  bales. 

Chesterfield  County  has  never  ranked  especially  high  in  education ; 
it  has  always  been  a  backward  county  in  this  respect,  until  the  last 
few  years,  when  a  marke<l  advance  has  been  made  in  e<lucation  and 
educational  facilities  throughout  the  county.  Education  began  a 
slow  improvement  about  18.32 ;  in  1843  about  $1,000  was  allowed  per 
annum  by  the  State  for  free  schools.  Recently  the  county  has 
started  a  movement  to  stamp  out  the  blot  of  illiteracy  within  its 
borders,  and  this  movement  is  progressing  with  much  success.  In 
1920  Chesterfield  County  became  one  of  the  chief  beneficiaries  of  the 
.$140,0(M)  fund  appro)>riated  by  the  Legislature  to  assist  schools  in  con- 
tinuing terms  for  a  periml  of  seven  m<tnths:  to  participate  in  the  fund 
a  tax  of  eight  mills  on  the  dollar  was  levied  by  the  Statt>  on  each 
school  district  cooperating;  twenty-five  pupils  were  enrolled  tnider 
each  teacher.  Since  that  time  several  of  the  schools  have  become 
excellent  high  schools,  one  or  two  having  been  made  accredited  State 
high  schools  in  the  past  year  or  so. 

Along  religious  lines  the  county  can  hold  its  o^^n  with  almost  any 
other  county  in  the  State.  The  Methodist.  Baptist,  and  Presbyterian 
sects  predominate,  with  the  Methodists  the  sti'ongest  in  numbers. 
There  are  very  few  Catholics,  there  being  only  one  church  of  thi.< 
faith  in  the  count  v.  at  Cheraw.     Since  the  settlement  of  Cheraw.  St. 


1()         Chesterfield  County:  Economic  and  Social 

David's  Episcopal  Church  has  been  well  known  throughout  the  State. 
The  historic  old  church  still  stands,  although  a  handsome  new  build- 
mg  has  been  erected  in  another  section  of  the  town.  From  Cheraw 
came  one  of  the  best  known  religious  leaders  and  teachers  of  the 
South,  Dr.  James  H.  Thoruwell. 

Although  once  considered  one  of  the  backward  counties  of  the 
State,  and  perhaps  not  without  cause,  that  is  a  closed  book  now,  and 
today,  Chesterfield,  one  of  the  larger  counties  of  the  State,  bids  fair 
to  become  one  of  the  foremost  counties  of  South  Carolina. 


II. 
NATURAL  RESOURCES  AND  INDUSTRIES 


IsoM  Teal. 


Geography 

Chesterfield  County  is  situated  in  the  northeastern  part  of  South 
Carolina,  lying  south  of  the  North  Carolina  counties  of  Anson  and 
Union.  The  Pee  Dee  River  separates  it  from  Marlboro  County  on 
the  east,  while  Darlington  is  to  the  south.  Bordering  on  the  western 
side  are  found  the  counties  of  Ker.shaw  and  Lancaster.  It  is  eighth 
among  the  counties  of  the  State  in  size,  its  area  being  8.37  square 
miles,  or  5.3.5.6S0  acres. 

The  Sand  Hill  belt,  which  forms  the  fall  line  between  the  Pied- 
mont Plateau  and  the  Coastal  Plain,  extends  across  the  northwestern 
part  of  the  county.  The  topogi-aphy  is  mainly  rolling  or  hilly,  with 
smooth  or  nearly  level  areas  Iteiiig  found  around  Cheraw  and  McBee. 
Below  Cheraw  the  river-terrace  land,  or  second  bottom,  develops 
into  the  large  level  area  in  the  vicinity  of  Montrose  and  Cashs.  The 
bottom  lands  are  rather  extended,  while  the  swampy  sections  are 
comparatively  small,  even  along  the  larger  streams. 

Four  systems  of  regional  drainage,  comprising  two  rivers,  the  Pee 
Dee  and  Lynches,  and  two  creeks,  Thompson  and  Big  Black,  together 
with  their  tributaries,  make  this  a  favored  territory  from  a  drainage 
viewpoint. 

The  uphuid  has  a  general  elevation  of  from  five  hundred  to  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  sea  level. 

Climate 

Following  a  line  parallel  to  the  sea  coast,  and  dividing  the  State 
into  halves,  there  is  a  strip  of  territory  commonly  known  as  the 
Sand  Hills.  This  range  is  in  effect  a  terrace,  and  on  it  are  tlie  cele- 
brated winter  resorts  of  Camden  and  Aiken  in  South  Carolina  and 
Pinehurst  in  North  Carolina.  Chesterfield  County  lies  directly  across 
the  path  of  this  range  and  hence  enjoys  the  mild  winters  that  are 
peculiar  to  it.  The  Inhabitants  are  blessed  with  a  gift  of  nature,  the 
benefits  and  pleasures  of  whirh  the  northern  tourists  travel  many 
miles  and  spend  much  money  to  get.  Residents  fail  to  appreciate 
our  ideal  climate  because  it  is  a  continuous  thing  and,  for  us,  is 


18       Chesterfield   County:   Economic  and   Social 

free,  but  this  in  no  wise  decreases  its  great  value.  Very  largely  to 
it  can  be  attributed  our  low  death  rate  and  healthy  population. 
Such  a  climate  is  also  particularly  well  adapted  to  the  growing  of 
fruit,  while  grains  and  the  hardier  crops  may  be  grown  throughout 
the  year. 

Table    I. — Climate    of    Chesterfield    County 

Normal  Monthly,  Seasonal  and  Annual  Temperature  and  Precipi- 
tation as  averaged  from  the  records  of  the  three  weathei*  bureau 
stations  of  Cheraw.  Society  Hill  in  Darlington  County,  and  Heath 
Sjn-ings  in  Lancaster  County. 


Precipi- 

Temperature 

tation 

;; 

- 

,_ 

g 

^ 

'^  a 

oj    a 

Month 

^   s 

^ 

13     ><1 

B.  a 

2 

2  ^ 

c  S 

s 

SS 

%  S 

O 

S 

s 

s 

< 

< 

^ 

December 

January 

February 


53.5 
53.7 
53.8 


33.2 
33.7 
33.7 


43.6 
43.7 
44.3 


78.3 

78.7 
SO 


3.32 
3.16 
4.1 


WINTER 


53.7 


33.5 


43.9 


ri> 


:!.4 


3.53 


March 
April 
May    . 


64.6 
72.6 

82 


43 

49.4 

59 


53.8 
61.2 
70.6 


91.3 
94 
102 


10.3 
25 

38 


3.45 
3.08 
3.32 


S  PR  INC 


r3.i 


50.5 


61.7 


95.8 


26.4 


3.28 


June  . 
July  .. 
August 


87.4 
89.6 

88.4 


65.9 
69.5 
68.9 


76.8 
79.6 

78.6 


104 
106 
102.9 


45 
53. 
54 


5.82 
5.93 


SUMMER 


8S.5 


68.1 


7.S.3 


1(»4.:! 


5.  OS 


September 
October  .  , 
November 


83.6 
74.3 
64.1 


62.9 

73.1 

101 

38.7 

3.51 

51.1 

62.4 

97.7 

25.3 

2.77 

40.2 

52.1 

88.7 

14.3      1 

2.16 

EALI. 


74 


51.4 


62.5 


96.8 


26.11 


2.81 


V.'.ir     

72.3° 

50.9' 

61.7" 

1()('..3o 

45.9;!  in 

Wfllcst     Year. 

59.86  in 

I  »iicsi      Year.  . 

31.10  in 

Chesterfield  Cointy:   Economic  and   Social       1'.> 

On  preoodiiif;  pa;ie  is  n  taMe.  coiuitliiil  from  tlio  roconls  of  the 
Weathor  Buroau  stations  at  ("licraw,  Society  Hill,  and  Ileatli  Springs, 
whicli  gives  tlie  normal  montlily,  seasonal,  and  annual  temperature 
and   precipitation  for  tliis  county   and  adjoining  territory. 

The  mean  temperature  for  the  year  is  about  G2o  Fahreidieit.  Tlie 
summers  are  hot,  June,  July  and  August  averaging  around  79o  F., 
but  as  a  usual  thing  there  are  tempering  breezes  to  relieve  the 
heat.  The  winter  months  run  about  44o  F. ;  zero  temperatures  are 
almost  unknown.  The  average  date  of  the  last  killing  frost  in  the 
spring  is  around  April  5,  and  of  the  first  in  the  fall  about  Novem- 
ber 1. 

Thr  rainfall  is  ample  for  successful  crop  production  and  is  well 
distributed.  The  precipitation  is  heaviest  during  spring  and  early 
summer,  when  the  growing  plants  are  most  in  need  of  moisture,  and 
lightest  in  autumn,  when  cotton  picking  makes  clear  weather  desir- 
able. Snows  rarely  occur,  and  the  heaviest  remain  on  the  ground 
only  a  short  time;  never  longer  than  two  or  three  days. 

Soils 

There  are  four  natural  divisions  in  the  soils  of  Chesterfield 
County :  first,  the  upland  soils  derived  from  unconsolidated  beds  of 
sand  and  clay ;  second,  upland  soils  derived  by  weathering  from  con- 
solidated rocks  such  as  slate  and  granite ;  third,  first-bottom  alluvial 
soils  subject  to  frequent  stream  overflow ;  fourth,  second-bottom, 
old  alluvial  soils  lying  above  overflow.  These  are  grouped  into 
series,  each  series  having  the  same  color,  similar  subsoils,  a  common 
origin,  and.  as  a  rule,  the  same  type  of  relief  and  drainage.  In  turn 
the  series  are  divided  into  types,  according  to  texture,  which  is 
determined  by  the  amount  contained  of  the  various  grades  of  sand, 
gravel,  silt,  and  clay.  In  all,  there  are  thirty-two  soil  types,  repre- 
senting nineteen  series,  and  five  miscellaneous  types. 

The  iiplaiid  sandy  soils  constitute  about  sixty  per  cent  of  the 
county:  the  ui)land  clay  soils  about  twenty-five  per  cent;  the  first 
bottom  soils  api)roxianitely  ten  per  cent;  and  the  terrace  soils  five 
per  cent. 

The  sandhill  phase  of  the  Norfolk  series  occurs  in  extensive  areas, 
and  is  the  main  soil  of  the  Sand  Hill  belt,  which  makes  up  the  greater 
part  of  the  southern  and  central  sections  of  the  county.  It  is  covered 
largely  by  scrub  oak,  principally  blackjack,  some  longleaf  pine,  and 
a  scattered  growth  of  wire  grass.  Large  stretches  of  territ(U-y  in 
this  section  are  unoccupied,  though  here  and  there  clearings  are 
found    which   are   devoted   principally    to   the   production   of   cotton. 


20        Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and  Social 

Usually  these  settlements  are  found  on  the  spots  of  other  soil  types 
which  are  found  within  the  Sand  Hill  belt. 

Norfolk  sand  has  a  loose,  grayish  surface  and  is  found  in  the 
noitheastern  part  of  the  county,  around  Pageland  and  Angelus. 
Land  of  this  type,  altho  low  in  organic  matter  and  nitrogen,  is 
especially  well  adapted  to  the  growing  of  vegetables,  -watermelons 
and  cantaloupes,  cotton,  corn,  and  legumes,  cowpeas,  vetch,  velvet 
beans,  and  soy  beans.  For  the  best  results,  however,  it  is  necessary 
to  heavily  fertilize  these  crops. 

Norfolk  sandy  loam  is  a  gray  sand  covering  a  loamy  sand,  which 
is  underlain  at  a  depth  of  about  ten  or  fifteen  inches  by  a  yellow, 
sandy  clay.  It  is  found  extensively  developed  in  the  northeastern 
part  of  the  county,  particularly  in  areas  north  of  Cheraw  and  east 
of  Chesterfield.  The  surface,  as  a  rule,  is  flat  to  undulating,  tho 
where  streams  have  cut  comparatively  deep  valleys,  it  is  gently 
rolling.  This  makes  cultivation  easy  since  there  is  no  washing  and 
improved  farm  machinery  may  be  used. 

This  land  is  probably  better  farmed  than  any  other  in  the  county 
and  the  j'ields  show  the  result  of  such  attention.  A  bale  of  cotton 
to  the  acre  can  be  made  by  using  around  eight  hundred  pounds  of 
fertilizer.  Where  corn  is  cultivated  on  the  Williamson  plan  a  return 
of  forty  to  fifty  bushels  per  acre  is  the  result.  This  type  of  soil 
produces  large  quantities  of  tobacco  in  neighboring  counties,  and 
there  is  no  reason  why  Chesterfield  should  not  also  take  an  important 
part  in  the  tobacco  growing  industry. 

It  is  believed  that  truck  farming  would  prove  a  profitable  venture 
in  this  territory.  Other  parts  of  the  South  having  a  similar  soil 
devoted  to  trucking  are  highly  successful.  Peachei?;,  plums,  and 
grapes  could  also  be  produced  to  advantage. 

Georgeville  clay  loam  is  found  principally  on  the  slopes  of  streams 
in  the  northwestern  and  north-central  parts  of  the  county.  It  is  a 
red  clay  loam  of  a  depth  approximating  six  inches,  under  which 
layer  is  found  a  red,  brittle  clay  subsoil.  This  land  was  once 
covered  by  shortleaf  pine,  some  oaks,  and  a  scattered  hardwood 
growth,  but  much  of  it  is  now  cleared  and  under  cultivation. 

The  chief  crops  in  this  section  are  cotton,  corn,  and  oats.  Less 
fertilizer  is  used  liere  than  on  tho  lighter  soils,  but  the  harvests  are 
not  .so  good.  The  stiff  land  makes  cultivation  difiicult,  especially 
during  rainy  .seasons.  Grains  are  grown  with  success,  and  cowpeas, 
clover,  and  vetch  would  also  do  well.  The  introduction  of  live  stock 
on  a   l:irgcr  scale  is  rccoiimiciHlcd. 


Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social       21 

Minerals 

The  only  minerals  that  have  as  yet  Iteeii  discovered  and  exploited 
in  Chesterfield  County  are  gold  and  granite.  Several  small  gold 
mines  were  formerly  operated  on  a  very  limited  scale  in  the  region 
around  Jefferson.  It  is  reported  that  the  largest  of  these,  the  Brewer 
Mine,  was  for  a  while  quite  successful,  employing  al  one  time  as 
many  as  two  hundred  hands.  However,  they  have  all  long  ago  ceased 
operations,  and  it  is  very  much  to  be  doubted  if  this  undertaking 
will  ever  be  revived. 

Another  once  promising  enterprise  was  the  Oro  Granite  Quarry, 
which  is  located  nine  miles  west  of  Ruby.  It  was  worked  intermit- 
tently for  some  while,  but  proved  to  be  a  losing  proposition  finan- 
cially and  hence  was  abandoned. 

Timber 

The  1920  report  of  the  United  States  Forest  Service  places  the 
amount  of  merchantable  pine  in  South  Carolina  at  1.3.889,800,000  feet, 
the  major  portion  of  which  consists  of  shortleaf  pine.  In  1908  there 
were  approximately  45,000,000,000  feet,  or  over  three  times  the  pres- 
ent supply.  The  United  States  uses  each  year  four  times  the  amount 
of  the  annual  growth  of  timber  for  the  whole  country.  Applying  this 
ratio  to  South  Carolina,  whose  annual  growth  is  250,000,000  feet,  there 
is  found  to  be  a  yearly  loss  in  this  State  of  three-fourths  of  a  bil- 
lion feet.  The  significance  of  this  situation  cannot  l>e  over-empha- 
sized. There  is  an  ever  increasing  drain  on  our  aheady  depleted 
forests,  and  unless  vigorous  measures  are  adopted  to  conserve  the 
present  stand  and  replant  the  cut-over  areas,  sooner  or  later  the 
lumber  supply  will  be  entirely  exhausted. 

Chesterfield  County  has  164,756  acres  in  woodland,  according  to 
the  1920  census.  This  is  31  per  cent  of  its  total  area  and  gives  it  a 
high  rank  in  the  State,  there  being  only  eleven  other  counties  mak- 
ing a  better  showing  in  this  respect.  The  1920  report  of  the  State 
Commissioner  of  Agriculture  gives  the  value  of  the  lumber  and 
timber  products  of  the  county  for  that  year  to  be  $525,925.00.  Only 
two  other  industries,  the  textile  and  cotton  seed  oil,  show  a  larger 
value  for  their  annual  products.  Shortleaf  and  longleaf  pine  form 
the  bulk  of  the  timber  output,  altho  some  oak,  gum,  and  poplar  are 
also  marketed. 

Ill  1920  the  lu!nl)iv<-  itiisiness  in  Chesterfield  County  came  third 
among  the  industries  in  jioint  of  yearly  monetary  returns.  But  the 
direct  profits  derived  from  (he  sale  of  lumber  does  not  even  approxi- 
mate the  actual  value  of  our  forests.  It  must  be  remembered  that 
belts  of  woixlland  protect  the  growing  crops.  ;is  well  as  man  and  live 


'2'2       Chesterfield   County:   Ecoxomic  and   Social 

SlocIc.  from  Ihe  extremes  of  cold  or  parcliiiig  winds.  They  also  act 
as  moisture  reservoirs,  absorbing  excessiA-e  rainfall  and  holding  it 
until  periods  of  drought  when  it  is  gradually  withdrawn  by  the  drier 
fields  adjoining. 

I'erhaps  the  strongest  argument  for  the  preservation  of  adequate 
forest  reserves  is  that  of  the  prospective  worth.  Statistics  show  that 
the  supply  of  timber  is  rapidly  diminishing  while  the  demand  for 
it  Is  constantly  increasing.  Before  many  years  pas.^  any  section 
having  a  stand  of  merchantable  timber  will  be  in  possession  of  a 
commodity  of  great  desirability  and  high  value. 

Industries 

There  are  four  requisites  for  any  considerable  development  of 
indus[ries,  namely :  ample  transportation  facilities,  available  raw 
products,  efficient  workers,  and  sufficient  capital.  The  fact  that 
these  essential  elements  are  lacking,  in  part  at  least,  explains  why 
Chesterfield  does  not  rank  high  among  the  manufacturing  counties 
of  the  State. 

However,  there  are  two  principal  raw  products  of  importance, 
cotton  and  timber,  and  from  these  goods  are  manufactured  on  a 
limited  scale,  mainly  at  Cheraw,  the  only  town  having  adequate  rail 
connections  and  a  population  large  enough  to  supplj'  the  workers. 

The    Railroad    Situation 

The  railroad  advantages  enjoyed  by  Chesterfield  County  as  a  whole 
are  lamentably  few.  and  this  condition  is  one  of  the  chief  factors 
in  retarding  its  industrial  growth.  The  system  serving  the  largest 
territory  is  the  Seaboard  Air  Line,  the  main  line  of  which  traverses 
the  southeastern  section  of  the  county.  Its  service  is  supplemented 
by  the  Charlotte,  Monroe  and  Columbia  Railway  running  from 
McBee  to  Jefferson,  and  the  Chesterfield  and  Lancaster,  connecting 
Cheraw  and  Crowburk.  The  fact  that  one  end  of  each  of  these  roads 
has  no  terminal  connections  causes  their  usefulness  to  be  seriously 
imi)aired.  Another  road  is  the  South  Carolina  Western  Railway 
running  from  McRee  to  Ilartsville.  A  prong  of  the  Atlantic  Coast 
Line  system  skirts  the  eastern  border,  but  Cheraw  is  its  only  station 
of  any  size  in  this  county. 

It  will  be  readily  seen  that  the  only  points  having  rail  transporta- 
tion facilities  to  any  api)reciable  extent  are  Cheraw  and  McP.ee,  with 
the  advantage  decidedly  in  favor  of  the  former.  At  that  i)hue  two 
main  lines  and  one  l>ranch  meet,  thus  effecting  a  junction  which 
makes  Ihe  Tij)  Top  Town  easily  accessil)lo.  For  the  other  towns  the 
beiiedts  to  Ix'  derived  from  up-to-date  train  service  will  coTitinue 
to  ])(•  (IciiicMl   niilil   tlic  liraiicli   lines  are  imijrovcil  and    lengthened  or 


Chestkkfikli)  Coi'NTv:  Economic  and  Social         23 

new  roads  orK!inize<l  and  built.  This  is  an  nndi'rtakin};  that  may 
well  be  investifiatod  by  our  farsij^hted  and  proj^ressive  leaders,  and 
they  may  be  assured  that  if  their  eft'orts  are  successful  they  will  have 
accomplished  a  feat  of  no  mean  proportions  and  one  of  which  their 
fellow  citizens  will  take  due  cognizance. 

Raw  Products 

Cotton,  cotton  seed,  lumber,  and  brick  clay  are  the  princii)al 
materials  needed  by  our  local  manufacturing  enterprises  and  they 
are  all  found  in  reasonably  large  quantities  within  the  county 
boundaries.  So  far  as  the  proximity  of  the  raw  products  is  con- 
cerned we  could  easily  support  several  times  the  number  of  textile 
plants,  oil  mills,  and  brick  works  that  we  actually  have  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  The  stand  of  timber  is  more  than  adequate  for  the  present 
requirements,  but  is  being  constantly  decreased. 

Capital  and  Labor 

As  regards  quantitj',  these  two  essentials  are,  comparatively  speak- 
ing, below  the  average  in  Chesterfield  County.  Of  course  it  is 
scarcely  possible  that  the  State  reports  give  the  exact  amount 
invested  in  manufacturing,  for  it  takes  time  for  these  figures  to  be 
tabulated  and  printed,  and  meanwhile  new  capital  is  being  adde<]. 
Again  no  account  is  taken  in  the  State  reports  of  such  funds  as 
"surplus"  and  "undivided  profits"  which  are  frequently  left  in  the 
businesses.     However,  an  approximation  can  be  obtained. 

From  data  given  in  the  annual  report  of  the  Commissioner  of 
Agriculture,  Commerce  and  Industries  for  1920,  the  following  cal- 
culations have  been  made.  Tiie  total  amount  of  capital  invested 
in  all  industries  in  Chesterfield  County  is  $723,353.00.  The  com- 
bined products  have  an  annual  value  of  $3,044,603.  There  is  an 
average  of  457  persons  employed,  whose  total  wages,  not  including 
managers'  salaries,  anmunts  to  $845,222.00.  For  purposes  of  com- 
parison the  same  items  are  given  for  Spartanburg  Counry,  which  are: 
cai)ital  invested  .$30.."7.".(;43  ;  value  of  annual  products,  $.".2,71(i..3.s4.00  : 
average  number  of  persons  employed.  0.403 :  total  wages,  not  includ- 
ing salaries  of  managCi-s.  $8,789,484.00. 

The  above  figures  indicate  that  manufacturir.g  coiuerns  are  not 
large  in  si-<e  or  many  in  number  in  Chesterfield  County,  but  two 
outstanding  things  should  be  especially  noted.  The  first  is  that  the 
value  of  our  annual  ))roducts  is  over  four  times  the  amount  of  capi- 
tal invested.  Also  the  value  of  the  products  turned  out  in  one  year 
by  the  average  employee  is  $(!.()(!2.15.  The  best  that  Spartanburg 
could   do  was   to  make  gocds   valued   at    less   than   twici>   the  amount 


24 


Chestertield  Coitnty:  Economic  and  Social 


ol   capital  invested,  while  the  average  worker  made  only  $5,553.18 
worth  of  products. 

These  are  signirieant  facts.  They  mean  that  our  home  industries 
are  better  managed,  and  have  more  efficient  workmen,  then  the  large 
plants  found  in  a  manufacturing  center  like  Spartanburg.  That 
being  the  case,  it  would  seem  that  the  factor  most  needed  in  order 
to  increase  our  industrial  organizations  is  initiative.  When  that  is 
supplied  the  necessary  capital  will  be  forthcoming,  m-eu  if  it  has 
to  be  furnished  by  capitalists  residing  in  distant  regions. 

Table  II. — Classified  Industries  in  Chesterfield  County  Based  on  the 
1920  Report  of  the  State  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Commerce 
and  Industries. 


.ti   > 


?  o 

«  S  -  -• 

"7,  a;  a  « 


3  ■■'-'  9 

S   O   0) 


a  h 


Textile.-:     

Cotton  Seed  Oil  Mills.. 

Boxes,   Baskets,   etc 

Brick  and  Tile    

Electricity     

Foundries  and  Machine 

Shops    

Flour  and   Grits 

Lumber      and      Timber 

Products    

Printing  and  Publi.sliing 

Total     


$141,100 

175,000 

146,615 

13,500 

20,000 

5,000 
3,000 

209,188 
10,000 


$1,111,999 

900,000 

377,679 

90,000 

7,400 

15,500 
6,000 

525,925 
10,100 


.$723,353  $3,044,603 


$108,9{)0 

26,376 

118,335 

18,000 

4,000 

10,022 
600 

555,363 
3,536 


105 
61 

135 
30 

4 

6 
2 

111 
3 


$845,222 


457 


283 
182 
303 
275 
365 

300 
309 

216 
308 


2.541 


III. 
FACTS  ABOUT  THE  FOLKS 


A.  L.  Campbkll. 


In  this  chapter  some  of  the  most  important  facts  concerning  the 
folks  themselves  of  Chesterfield  County  are  mentioned  and  discussed 
briefly.  Unless  otherwise  mentioned  the  data  used  were  derived 
from  the  1920  census. 

Total  Population 

The  population  of  Chesterfield  County  in  1920  was  31,909.  It  has 
reached  its  present  population  by  a  steady  increase  over  many  years 
and  by  a  very  marked  increase  within  the  last  two  decades.  From 
the  figures  of  the  twelfth  census  (1900)  and  the  thirteenth  census 
(1910)  we  see  that  the  population  increased  from  20,401  in  1900  to 
26,301  in  1910,  an  increase  of  28.9  per  cent.  During  the  decade 
1910  to  1920  the  increase  was  from  28,301  to  31,969,  or  21.5  per  cent. 
This  is  a  very  creditable  showing  as  compared  with  the  other  counties 
of  the  State.  The  State  average  increase  in  population  during  the 
period  1900-1910  was  only  13.1  per  cent  and  from  1910  to  1920  only 
11.1  per  cent. 

Density  of  Population 
Chesterfield  County  ranks  8th  in  area  in  the  State  with  837  square 
miles,  while  in  total  population  it  ranks  21st.  Thus  we  see  that  in 
density  of  population  our  county  ranks  rather  low.  It  comes  37th 
among  the  forty-six  counties  of  the  State  in  this  respect  with  38.2 
persons  per  s<iuare  mile.  The  average  density  of  the  State  is  56.1 
people  per  square  mile. 

Rural    and    Urban 

In  density  of  rural  population,  Chesterfield  ranks  39th  with  34.4 
people  per  square  mile.  Since  the  density  of  the  total  population 
was  only  38.2  people  per  square  mile  we  see  that  the  population  is 
predominantly  rural.  The  census  bureau  defines  urban  population 
as  that  residing  in  cities  and  other  incorporated  places  having  2,500 
inhabitants  or  more,  and  rural  population  as  that  residing  outside 
of  such  incorporated  places.  Therefore  Chesterfield  has  only  one 
town,  Cheraw,  that  is  classed  as  urban. 


2G  CliESTERl-IELD    CoLNTY  I     ECONOMIC    AND     SOCIAL 

Cheraw  has  a  population  of  3,150.  In  1910  its  population  was 
2,873.  Its  increase  of  9.1  per  cent  during  thie  last  decade  repi-esents 
the  increase  in  uvhan  inhabitants  as  compared  with  the  rural  popu- 
lation increase  of  20.5  per  cent.  It  must  be  remembered,  thoujih, 
that  in  the  rural  population  is  included  the  towns  of  Chesterfield, 
Pageland,  Jefferson,  McBee.  Patrick,  Ruby,  Mt.  Croghan  and  Mid- 
dendorf,  since  the  population  of  each  of  these  towns  is  less  than 
2,500.  The  population  of  these  rural  towns  together  is  only  6,219. 
This  number  subtracted  from  the  so-called  rural  population  leaves 
22.000  people,  or  70.0  per  cent  of  the  total  population,  living  in  the 
open  country  in  our  county. 

Color  and  Nativity 

The  composition  of  the  population  of  any  county  provides  a  cri- 
terion by  which  its  social  status  and  its  chances  for  prosperity  may 
be  reckoned.  Of  course  the  greater  per  cent  white  among  the  popu- 
lation the  better  its  foundation  and  chances  for  progress. 

Of  the  total  poi)ulation  of  Chesterfield  County  60.5  per  cent  is 
white.  It  ranks  9th  in  the  State  in  this  particular.  The  average 
for  the  State  is  only  48.0  per  cent.  The  negi-o  population  is  steadily 
increasing  in  nniiibcrs  Iiut  decreasing  in  ratio  of  total  population  in 
our  county.  Chest t'rfiold  with  an  increase  of  19.6  per  cent  ranks 
:'>]■(]  in  the  State  in  increase  in  negro  population  from  1910  to  1920, 
while  its  rank  is  Nth  in  increase  in  white  population,  22.S  per  cent, 
during  the  same  period.  The  State  average  white  increase  was  20.5 
I»er  cent  and  the  negro  increase  was  3.5  i)er  cent.  Our  county 
ranks  3Sth  in  negro  decrease  in  ratio  of  the  total  population. 

Illiteracy. 

Chesterfield  County  (Idcs  not  coinijarc  vc>ry  favorably  with  the  rest 
of  the  Stale  in  the  matter  of  literacy.  With  a  per  cent  of  19.1  it 
I'iinks  24th  in  the  Slate  in  total  illiteracy  of  persons  ten  years  of  age 
iuid  over.  I'lic  average  illiteracy  of  the  State,  ten  yeai's  of  age  and 
over,  is  only  18.1  per  cent.  Thus  we  see  that  Chesterfield  ranks  a 
little  iibdve  the  State  average  in  total  illiteracy. 

In  n.itive  white  illiteracy  Chesterfield  County  ranks  40th,  or  in 
otliei-  words,  the  ])er  cent  illiterate  in  its  white  population  is  greater 
than  that  of  any  other  county  of  the  State.  The  per  cent  illiterate 
of  its  while  i»oi»ulation  is  l.'}..",,  while  the  average  for  the  State  is 
only  (!.."). 

Since  oni-  wliile  citizens  over  twenty-one  ye;irs  of  ;ige,  itoth  men 
:ni(l  women,  li;ive  the  respoii.sibiiity  n|ion  tlieni  of  seeing  to  the 
sliibilily  of  the  government  throngli  their  v<tfes,  their  erlncalion  and 
characteristics   are   esitecially    interesting   to   us.      Our   county   ranks 


Ciii:sii:i!rii;i,i)  County:   Economic  and   Social       27 

46th  in  both  nu>n  and  women  nalivo  white  illitcrati's.  twcnty-uno 
years  of  ase  and  over.  Of  our  voters,  IT.n  per  cent  of  the  men  and 
18  per  cent  of  the  women  are  illiterate.  By  comparing;  tliis  condi- 
tion with  that  of  the  State  as  a  whole  we  can  better  appreciate  its 
significance  to  Chesterfield  as  a  county.  The  State  average  illiteracy 
of  men  voters  is  only  8.5  per  cent   and  of  women  voters  8.1  per  cent. 

We  cannot  connnend  ourselves  by  these  comparisons  but  neverthe- 
less it  is  well  to  face  the  facts  that  the  condition  may  be  improved 
as  speedily  as  possible.  Our  condition  would  be  apiialling  indeed 
if  we  were  forced  to  remain  in  the  "rear  rank"  indefinitely,  but  there 
are  various  indications  of  our  moving  up  and  letting  some  other 
c(mnty  occupy  the  uncovetod  position.  Such  undertakings  as  adult 
schools,  night  schools,  and  the  enforcement  of  the  school  attendance 
law,  together  with  the  increased  appreciation  of  education  in  gen- 
eral, point  to  a  lower  illiterac.v  percentage. 

While  the  schools  of  our  county  have  made  wonderful  progress 
in  the  last  few  years  they  have  made  no  concerted  effort  to  reach 
mature  illiterates.  This  is  not  surprising,  though,  when  we  consider 
the  fact  that  South  Carolina  as  a  whole  only  a  short  time  ago  spent 
the  least  per  capita  for  education  of  any  State  in  the  Union,  that 
the  annual  expenditure  per  pupil  was  less  than  that  of  any  other 
State,  that  teachers'  salaries  were  lowest  in  the  states,  the  school 
term  the  shortest  and  the  average  attendance  next  to  the  lowest.  At 
the  present  this  is  not  true.  Our  Legislature  now  seems  to  realize  the 
fact  that  its  most  important  appropriation  is  for  schools. 

The  problem  in  the  elimination  of  illiteracy  in  Chesterfield  Coiuit.v 
is  not  as  largely  a  negro  question  as  in  several  counties.  The  per 
cent  of  negroes  in  our  population  is  below  the  average  of  the  State 
while  the  per  cent  of  illiteracy  is  a  great  deal  above  the  average. 
The  younger  members  of  both  races  are  taking  advantage  of  their 
educational  opportiuiities,  but  something  must  be  done  for  the  adult 
illiterates  who  comprise  so  large  a  per  cent  of  dur  population.  The.se 
can  only  be  reached  by  night  and  adult  schools.  There  is  at  present 
some  work  being  done  along  this  line  and  from  the  report  of  the 
State  Supervisor  of  Adult  Schools  we  see  that  these  schools  that 
have  already  been  organized  have  done  splendid  work  and  continued 
advancement  seems  certain. 

In  Chesterfield  County  there  were  organized,  during  the  year  end- 
ing July  20,  1921,  twenty-seven  adult  schools,  twenty-one  white  and 
six  colored,  with  an  enrollment  of  5SG  students,  473  of  whom  were 
white  and  113  colored.  During  this  time  there  was  $2,211  spent  for 
this  purpose.  A  special  mid-summer  campaign  was  put  on  against 
illiteracy  during  the  month  of  August.  1021.  A  paid  organizer  visited 
the  comity   and   organized   seven   adult   schools,   all   white,   with    an 


28        Chesterfield  Colnty:  Economic  and  Social 

enrollment  of  193.  Only  $905  was  spent  during  this  period.  Even 
with  the  meager  appropriations  by  the  Legislature  and  the  small 
amount  that  the  county  board  has  been  able  to  contribute,  Chester- 
field County  ranks  as  one  of  the  thirteen  leading  counties  in  thd 
State  in  the  work  done  by  adult  and  night  schools. 

That  these  steps  are  improving  the  illiteracy  situation  in  our 
county  is  shown  by  comparing  the  figures  cm  illiteracy  of  the  1910 
census  with  those  of  the  last  census.  In  1910  28.9  per  cent  of  the 
total  population  was  illterate,  while  in  1920  there  was  only  19.1 
per  cent   illiterate. 

Since  South  Carolina  as  a  whole  is  striving  to  decrease  its  high 
illiteracy  percentage  we  should  strive  to  pass  on  to  some  other 
county  our  rank  of  4Gth  among  the  counties  of  the  State  in  this 
respect.  With  the  interest  of  the  public,  both  literate  and  illiterate, 
aroused  and  the  hearty  support  of  the  work  by  the  public  assured,  it 
seems  certain  that  our  county  will  move  forward  rapidly  from  its 
low  position  in  literacy.  The  safest  and  surest  method  of  finally 
eradicating  illiteracy  is  through  the  strict  enforcement  of  the  com- 
pulsory attendance  law.  This  is  only  possible  with  the  sentiment 
of  the  people  of  the  county  back  of  the  officers  whose  duty  it  is  to 
enforce  the  measure.  Our  State's  slogan  is  "Let  South  Carolina 
Secede  from  Illiteracy."  Our  aim  should  be  to  lead  the  way  in  this 
secession. 

Vital    Statistics 

A  few  statistics  regarding  the  birth  and  death  rate  and  the  health 
conditions,  with  suggestions  for  improvement,  in  our  county  will  help 
to  give  us  an  insight  into  one  of  the  most  important  problems  that 
can  confront  a  people.  According  to  the  bureau  of  vital  statistics  of 
South  Carolina  for  the  year  1919  there  were  9S.'>  births  in  Chester- 
field County,  an  average  of  32.1  per  1,000  population.  This  makes 
our  county  rank  5th  in  the  State  in  birth  rate.  On  the  other  hand 
our  death  rate  is  fairly  low,  only  363  in  the  county  for  the  year  1919, 
or  an  average  of  11.9  per  1,000  population.  Chesterfield  County  ranks 
2Sth  in  this  respect.  The  State  average  birth  rate  per  1,000  inhabit- 
ants is  27.1  and  the  death  rale  per  1,000  people  is  13.6. 

From  the  al)ove  figures  we  .see  that  our  county  ranks  above  the 
average  in  birth  rate  and  below  the  average  in  death  rate,  a  very 
desirable  condition.  The  natural  healthfulncss  of  our  climate  more 
than  steps  taken  to  safeguard  health  by  its  people  probably  is  the 
cau.se  of  the  above  mentioned  condition.  Although  we  are  proud  of 
our  low  death  rate,  that  does  not  necessarily  mean  that  our  health 
(■(iiiditions  are  what  they  should  be.  We  should  be  just  as  interested 
ill  jircscrving  the  health  of  the  seemingly  well  portion  of  our  people 


Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social       29 

as  ill  saviiifi  the  life  of  tlio  disea.sotl.  Siiice  our  ijoitulation  is  dis- 
tinctly rural  it  miglit  be  well  to  repeat  what  has  been  often  spoken 
and  written  since  tlie  war  on  the  pliysioal  condition  of  the  rural 
people. 

Tlie  selective  draft  law  literally  exi)l(ided  the  theoretical  hvibble 
that  since  a  person  lived  in  the  (tpeii  country  he  would  be  healthy  and 
develop  normally  without  the  aid  or  direction  of  any  one.  It  was 
only  after  it  was  noted  tliat  the  number  of  draft  reje<tions  of  boys 
from  the  counti-y  was  greater  than  those  from  the  city  that  it  was 
realized  that  the  health  condition,  of  children  particularly,  in  the 
country  needed  any  attention.  Child  welfare  workers  and  parents 
alike,  have  been  content  to  permit  the  activities  of  chilil  conservation 
to  be  concentrated  almost  exclusively  upon  the  city  child. 

A  county  unit  plan  of  public  health  work,  as  is  being  organized  in 
some  counties  of  the  State,  would  be  a  great  movement  towards  the 
protection  of  the  health  of  our  people  if  organized  in  Chesterfield 
County.  This  unit  is  composed  of  one  public  health  doctor  and  one 
or  moi'e  competent  public  health  nurses.  The  ultimate  aim  of  the 
county  unit  is  to  develop  a  nursing  service  covering  the  entire  county 
with  community  nurses  responsible  to  the  county  nurse  and  working 
under  the  supervisioiTof  the  county  health  otlicer.  A  district  nurse 
supervises  the  work  of  the  county  units.  The  head  of  the  entire 
system  is  the  State  supervising  nurse.  A  health  educational  program 
is  undertaken  by  these  nurses  in  connection  with  their  regular  work 
of  caring  for  the  sick,  inspecting  school  children,  helping  improve 
sanitary  conditions  in  the  homes,  and  fighting  epidemics. 

Church  Membership 

From  the  repcu't  on  lUliyidu-s  Bodies  published  in  1916  by  the 
bui'ean  of  the  census  we  find  that  14.677  people  of  Chesterfield  County 
are  church  members.  This  number  is  75  per  cent  of  the  total  popu- 
lation, ten  years  of  age  and  over,  and  makes  our  county  rank  13th 
in  this  respect.  The  denominational  affiliations  of  these  members 
are  as  follows:  Methodists,  6,070,  of  whom  4,oS3  are  whites  and  2,596 
are  negroes;  Baptists,  6,574,of  whom  4,214  are  whites  and  2..360  are 
negroes;  Presbyterians,  771,  of  whom  633  are  whites  and  13S  are 
negroes;  Episcopalians,  140;  Catholics,  30;  and  all  other  smaller 
bodies,  283. 

Chesterfield  ranks  a  little  alxive  the  State  average  in  church  mem- 
bership. The  fact  that  only  twelve  counties  in  the  State  have  a 
larger  per  cent  of  membership  is  something  to  commend  ourselves 
for,  but  still  the  condition  is  not  ideal  for  there  remains  one  out  of 
every  four  of  our  i)oinilatioii.  ten  years  of  age  and  over,  out  of  the 


30        Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and  Social 

church.     This  knowledire  slioiiUl  lie  an  incentive  to  greater  activity 
upon  the  part  of  the  organized  chiircli  and  otlier  religious  workers. 

Facts  About  the  Folks. 

How  Chesterfield  County  compares  with  the  other  counties  in  the 
State  in  numerous  important  particulars.  The  figures  are  for  1920 
except  where  otherwise  indicated. 

8th — In  area,  square  miles 837 

Berkeley  County  is  the  largest  county  in  the  State  with 
an  area  of  1,238  square  miles ;  Cherokee  is  the  smallest, 
having  an  area  of  373  square  miles.  The  total  area  of 
the  State  is  30,495  square  miles. 

21st — In   total  population    31,969 

Charleston  County  ranks  first  with  10S;.4.50  inhabitants; 
Jasper  County  comes  last  with  a  pn])ulation  of  9,SG9. 
The  total  population  of  the  State  is  1,683,724. 

39th — In  density  of  rural  population,  per  square  mile 34.4 

Spartanburg  County  with  a  rural  population  of  93.6  per 
square  mile  ranks  first :  Jasper  County  comes  last  with 
a  density  of  only  16.6  in  rural  population  per  square  mile. 

37th — In  density  of  total  population,  per  square  mile 38.2 

Spartanburg  County  with  a  density  of  123.2  per  square 
•     mile  ranks  first  in  the  State ;  Jasper  County  comes  last 
with  a  density  of  only  IS.     The  State  average  is  56.1. 
9th — In  per  cent   white  population  is  of  total  population....      60.5 
Only    48.6  per  cent    of  the  population   of  the   State   is 
white. 
9tli — In  sniallness  of  the  ]ier  (ont  negroes  of  total  population.  .     39.5 
The  average  of  all  Ihe  counties  of  the  State  is  51.4  per 
cent    negroes. 

8th — In  per  cent    increase  in  while  i)()i»ulali(in,  191(>-2() 22.8 

Florence  County  ranks  first  with  an  increase  of  66.2 
per  cent.  The  State  average  increase  was  20.5  per  cent. 
Seven  counties  failed  to  show  any  increase. 

3rd — In  per  cent   increase  in  negro  population,  1910-20 19.6 

Kicliland   County   ranks   first  with   an   increase  of  27.3 
per  cent.     The  State  average  increa.se  was  :].~t  ])rr  cent. 
Xineteeji  counties  showed  a  decrease. 
38th — In  i)ercentage  negro  decrease  in  ratio  of  the  total  poim- 

lation.    1!»1(M!IL'(>    .6 

Greenwood  ('oiiiil\  ranks  first  with  a  per  c(>nt  of  9.4.  The 
State  average  decrease  was  ;».9  i)er  cent.  Four  counties 
showed  an  increase  in  negro  population  in  ratio  of  the 


Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social       31 

total  population.  Of  these  four,  Williitmslnir;,'  showed 
greatest  increase  with  a  per  cent   of  4.3. 

24th — In  percentage  total  illiteracy  10  years  of  age  and  over.  ...      19.1 
Pickens  County  ranks  first  with  a  per  cent   of  only  1<>.7. 
Berkeley  comes  last  with  38.4  per  cent   of  its  population 
illiterate.    The  State  average  was  IS.l  per  cent. 

46th — In   i)ercentage   native   wliite   illiterates   10   years   of  age 

and    over    ]  3.3 

Abheville  County  ranks  first  with  diily  5.3  i)er  cent.  The 
State  average  is  6.5  per  cent. 

4Gth — In  percentage  native  white  illiterate  males  21  years  of 

age  and  over  17.3 

Charleston  County  ranks  first  with  a  per  cent  of  1.7. 
The  State  average  is  8.5  per  cent. 

40tli — In  percentage  native  white  illiterate  females  21  years  of 

age  and  over  IS 

Calhoun  County  ranks  first  with  a  per  cent  of  1.7.  The 
State  average  is  8.1  per  cent. 

28th— In  death  rate  per  1,000  of  population,  1919 11.9 

Richland  County,  with  26. 1  deaths  per  1,000  population 
has  highest  death  rate.  Colleton  County  has  fewest 
deaths,  7.4  per  1,000  inhal)itants.  The  State  average  is 
13.6. 

5th— In  birth  rale  per  1,000  of  population,  1919 32.1 

Horry  County  ranks  first  with  39.1  births  per  1,000  popu- 
lation. Colleton  County  has  fewest  with  only  18.2.  The 
State  average  is  27.1. 

13th — In  church  membership,  per  cent    of  po])ulation  10  years 

of  age  and  over  that  are  church  memlters,  1916 75 

Barnwell  County  comes  first  in  this  particular.  Colleton 
comes  last  with  only  54  per  cent  of  its  population  10 
years  of  age  and  over  church  members.  The  State  aver- 
age is  74  per  cent. 


IV. 

SCHOOLS 

Claudi:  a.  Sherrill. 


Chesterfield  County  with  her  31,969  inhabitants  had  in  1921  a  total 
taxable  wealth  of  §13,962,800,  or  a  per  capita  wealth  of  $436.  There 
are  twenty-six  other  counties  in  the  State  which  make  a  better 
showing.  During  1920  we  spent  $1,182,936  in  operating  our  automo- 
biles, or  an  average  expenditure  of  $37.00  for  every  person  in  the 
county,  regardless  of  whether  he  owned  a  car  or  not.  During  the 
same  period  each  of  us  spent  only  $4.67  for  the  education  of  our 
children.  In  1920  we  had  invested  in  automobiles  $2,277,000 ;  in 
school  property.  $365,365. 

Rank  of  Schools  in  State  and   Nation 

There  are  few,  if  any,  governmental  activities  for  which  so  many 
significant  facts  have  been  gathered,  by  uniform  methods,  over  so 
long  a  period  of  time  as  has  been  done  in  the  matter  of  education. 
A  comprehensive  method  of  indicating  school  conditions  and  ten- 
dencies has  been  worked  out  by  the  Department  of  Education  of  the 
Russell  Sage  Foundation  by  means  of  the  index  number,  which  is 
a  well  established  .statistical  device  commonly  u.sed  for  measuring 
changes  in  wholesale  and  retail  prices  and  rates  of  wages  over  a 
long  period  of  time,  and  which  number  lends  itself  readily  in  denot- 
ing changes,  conditions  and  cost  of  education  over  a  period  of  years. 

The  ten  sets  of  educational  data  that  have  been  considered  as  set 
out  in  the  table  below  are  unusually  adapted  for  inclusion  in  an 
inde.x  number.  Increases  in  them  reflect  improved  educational  con- 
ditions and  decreases  reflect  worse  conditions.  I.ike  the  stock  prices 
they  can  all  be  measured  in  terms  of  a  theoretical  par  value  of  100; 
and  because  of  this  they  can  be  combined  in  an  index  number  that 
is  a  direct  average  instead  of  a  relative  percentage. 


Chesterfield  County:   Econo.mk    and   Sociai,       ;>:> 
Index  Figures  for  Chesterfield  County  Schools   1910  and   1920 


_ 

•^ 

^ 

■^ 

_ 

"Z-    C 

? 

6 

t? 

c 

'^Z 

o 

o 

o 

^ 

w       ^ 

iH 

T-l 

C) 

Ti 

r-"     C3 

CI 

Ci 

Ci 

Ci 

CT- 

tH 

T-( 

r-t 

1.   I'lT   font    of   school   population 

attendinj^-  school  daily 49.5    .-',9.6 

59.8 

(M.f) 

45.4 

01.5 

2.  Averasje  days  attended  hy  each  f        If 
child  of  s<hooI  aw 21.4  |11.6 

36.2 

47.0     24.4 

30.2 

3.  Averafj;e  number  of  days  schools    t 
were  kei)t  open             55  0 

t 
25.0 

GO  5    37  n 

40.0 

48  7 

4.  I'er  cent  that  hii^h  scliool  at- 
tendance was  of  total  attend- 
ance      


.10 

.13 

10.24 


5.  Per    cent     that    hoys    were    of 
j^irls  in  hifjh  schools 

9S. 

75. 

* 
58.59 

6.  Average   expenditure  per   child 

in    average    attendance 8.80 

1.48 

.39.57 

5.04     6.24 

25.03 

7.  Average  expenditure  per   child 
of  school  age    

4..35|      .58  2.3.66 1   3.22 1   2.84  [15.43 

8.  Average  exi)enditure  per  teach- 1                     1           | 

er   employed    11.34     1.29|41.04  12.3G    G.91 

31.47 

9.  Expenditure  per  jiupil  for  pur- 
po.ses     other     than     teacliers' 
salaries           .  .                     .  .           3  40 

.094 

26.20 

.61     2.24 

15  46 

10.  Expenditure     per    teacher    em- 
ployed for  salaries 

18.30 

2.53 

50.08 

23.16 1 11.33 

40.11 

Chesterheld  ('(mnty  Index...  .  27.01     8.21  41.21 1 19.35 1 13.94  83.67 

State    Index    1  ....  1 1  ....  1 124  ST 

29.. '19 

*1918  State  figures — county  figures  not  availalde. 
tl909  tigures--1910  figures  not  available. 

South  Carolina  is  at  tlie  bottom  of  the  list  of  states  in  tlie  matter 
of  education  witli  an  index  number  of  29. .'{9.  Montana  leads  witli 
75.79.  In  1910  there  were  276,980  illiterates  in  the  State,  or  25 
per  cent;  50.245  of  tliese  being  whites.     Negro  majority  cannot  l)e 


34       Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social. 

jjiveu  as  the  sole  cause  of  South  Carolina's  position  in  this  regard, 
though  this  fact  does  materially  influence  it.  We  are  backward  in 
our  white  education  as  well. 

Chesterfield  County's  schools  have  an  index  number  of  33.67  and 
thereby  outstrii)  the  general  average  of  the  State.  Were  the  average 
for  the  State  equal  to  that  of  Chesterfield  County,  South  Carolina 
would  rank  46th  instead  of  52nd  in  the  list  of  States  and  territories, 
while  a  State  average  of  41.21,  or  the  average  of  Chesterfield  County's 
white  schools,  would  bring  South  Carolina  to  the  rank  of  3Sth  instead 
of  52nd  in  the  list  of  states. 

Teachers 

Among  the  sorely  neglected  factors  of  our  school  system  comes  one 
of  the  most  important,  namely,  the  teacher.  While  the  buildings, 
the  grounds  and  the  supplies  are  necessary  constituents  of  a  real 
school,  all  of  these  are  practically  of  no  avail  without  the  vitalizing 
touch  of  a  real  teacher.  Teachers  who  breathe  life  and  spirit  into 
the  school  become  absorbed  in  the  work  and  put  forth  their  best 
efforts  to  make  the  school  what  it  should  be.  But  these  teachers 
cannot  be  secured  on  the  small  salaries  that  they  have  been  offered. 
It  is  a  fundamental  principle  of  economics  that  the  best  teachers 
will  go  whei'e  the  best  salaries  are  offered,  or  quit  teaching  to  fol- 
low a  more  remunerative  trade  or  profession,  as  many  of  them  have 
done  already. 

Chesterfield  County,  in  1920,  paid  her  men  teachers  on  an  average 
$860.70  and  her  women  teachers  $567.57.  However,  there  were  only 
17  men  teachers  as  compared  with  the  132  women  teachers,  which 
makes  the  average  salary  for  both  sexes  $714.13.  There  has  been 
about  a  two  hundred  per  cent  gain  in  both  the  men's  and  women's 
.-lalaries  during  the  period  from  1910-1920.  While  the  1920  figures 
show  a  marked  gain  over  the  1910  figures  it  does  not  yet  equal  the 
salaries  paid  employees  engagetl  in  vocations  which  require  prepa- 
ration less  than  that  of  a  teacher.  Will  teachers  who  have  spent 
years  in  preparation  and  a  consideriiblc  amount  of  money,  be  content 
to  work  for  such  a  salary  when  uneducated  people  in  other  trades 
are  receiving  several  times  that  amount?  Below  are  a  few  of  the 
salaries  paid  in  Chesterfield  County  according  to  the  report  of  the 
State  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Commerce  and  Industries  in  1920 
to  followers  of  different  trades.  Compare  them  with  the  salary  that 
we  i)ay  our  toacliers  and  then  see  if  you  do  not  recognize  a  missing 
link.  Machinists  receive  $1,670,  jirintcrs  $1,178,  electricians  $1,000, 
and  day  laborers  $739  annually. 

Now,  are  we  not  practicing  false  economy  when  we  compare  the 
pittance  we  allow  our  teacliers  witli  the  servi<e  that  is  rendered? 


Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social       35 

Cheap  teachers  are  expensive — extravaj^antly  expensive.  They 
may  not  cost  more  directly,  but  they  do  cost  childhood,  manhood  and 
womanhood.  As  long  as  we  employ  cheap  teachers  we  may  expect 
cheap  service.  But  when  we  bej^in  paying  our  teachers  salaries  that 
compare  favorably  with  those  paid  in  other  trades  and  professions, 
we  may  expect,  and  will  receive,  a  higher  grade  of  etiiciency  in 
service  rendered. 


CHART  NUMBER 

A  qrapHtc  f«pr«»«n+«*ion  of  the  con- 
dition of  Chesterfield  County  Schooli 


One-Teacher  Schools 

Some  one  has  said  :  "The  average  farmer  and  rural  teacher  think 
of  the  rural  school  as  a  little  house,  on  a  little  ground,  with  a  little 
equipment,  where  a  little  teacher,  for  a  little  while  at  a  little  salary, 
teaches  little  children,  little  things." 

According  to  the  last  report  of  the  State  Superintendent  of  Educa- 
tion out  of  a  total  of  2.305  white  schools  in  South  Carolina  015  were 
(>ne-teacher  schools,  620  were  two-teacher,  and  324  were  three-teacher 
schools.  Expressed  in  percentage  figures,  approximately  40  per  cent 
of  our  white  schools  employ  one  teacher ;  67  per  cent  have  two 
teachers  or  less;  and  81  per  cent  have  three  feachers  or  less. 

The  situation  in  Chesterfield  County  is  somewhat  better  than  the 
average  for  the  State.  In  11)21,  there  were  58  white  schools  in  Ches- 
terfield County.  Of  this  number  15,  or  26  per  cent,  were  one-teacher 
affairs.  There  were  21,  two-teacher  schools,  10  with  three  teachers, 
and  12  employing  more  than  three  teachers.  All  of  us  are  sufli- 
ciently  acquainted  with  school  matters  to  know  that  a  well  graded, 
properly  tauixht  school  requires  a  number  of  well-equipped,  well-paid 
teachers  to  conduct  it. 


36       Chesterfield  County:  Economic  and   Social 

The  county  making  the  best  showing  in  this  respect  is  Dillon  with 
only  4  per  cent  of  its  schools  one-teacher  affairs ;  Darlington  ranks 
second  with  7  per  cent ;  Florence  third  with  17  per  cent ;  and  Spar- 
tanburg fourth  with  18  per  cent  of  its  white  schools  one-teacher 
affairs. 

The  county  with  the  worst  showing  is  Georgetown  where  76  per 
cent  of  the  white  schools  employ  only  one  teacher ;  Berkeley  has  72 
one-teacher  schools  out  of  every  hundred,  and  there  are  some  six 
or  more  other  counties  that  do  not  widely  differ  from  these  distressing 
figures. 

In  our  conception  of  the  modern  State,  its  most  priceless  posses- 
sion and  basic  fabric  is  the  individual  citizen,  and  the  child  of  today 
is  the  citizen  of  tomorrow. 

With  this  idea  in  view,  the  education  of  the  child  is  of  most  funda- 
mental and  far-reaching  importance,  it  matters  not  whether  that 
child  is  urban  or  rural. 

And  the  fact  that  a  child  happens  to  have  been  born  in  the  coun- 
try should  be  no  reason  why  he  is  not  provided  witli  as  good  an 
education  as  the  child  in  the  city.  His  rights  are  of  equal  impor- 
tance with  those  of  the  urban  child ;  it  is  as  much  the  duty  of  the 
State  to  provide  the  country  boy  and  girl  with  superior  educational 
facilities  as  it  is  for  the  city  boy  or  girl  to  possess  these  advantages. 

This  situation  becomes  more  imperative  in  a  State  like  South  Caro- 
lina whore  82. ,5  per  cent  of  our  population  is  rural,  and  where 
approximately  7+  out  of  every  hundred  of  our  people  live  on  the 
farm. 

It  is  well  to  i-ecall  that  the  white  rural  illiteracy  in  South  Carolina 
in  1920  was  approximately  three  times  as  great  as  the  white  urban 
illiteracy. 

The  nialtor  is  of  vital  imjtort  to  the  city,  also;  for  in  considerable 
measure  the  city  recruits  its  force  from  the  ranks  of  the  country.  To 
be  sure  it  more  often  takes  the  best  e<iuipped  in  Ihe  country  ranks, 
but  it  sliould  not  demur  at  the  additional  expense  incurred  to 
jtropcrly  educate  the  country  child. 

In  a  study  of  a  typical  up-country  rural  community,  it  was  found 
lliat  (»f  the  white  owners  operating  their  own  lands  over  62  per  cent 
of  these  fini.shed  (heir  education  lielow  the  8th  grade,  and  in  the 
case  of  the  wliite  tenant  approximately  80  per  cent  (inisbed  below 
high  scliool,  the  majority  of  these  not  liaving  completed  the  fifth 
grade. 

There  is  a  inciiiicc  in  Ibis  sitnatioii  and  it  is  (he  menace  of  igno- 
rance. It  will  r.iiit iiiiic  to  retard  and  liazard  the  i)rogr(>ss  of  our 
civili/.alioii   until    the   issue   is  .scpiarely   met. 


Chesterfield  County:  Economic  and   Social       37 

The  most  practical  solution  of  the  country  school  situation  lies  in 
the  consolidated  school.  Consolidation  in  its  best  form  takes  place 
when  schools  are  not  forced  to  close  for  lack  of  students,  but  are 
deliberately  abandoned  for  the  purpose  of  creating  a  larger  school 
where  more  ethcient  work  may  be  done,  or  the  same  work  at  a 
diminished  cost. 

Former  Commissioner  of  Education,  P.  P.  Claxton,  had  the  follow- 
ing to  say  regarding  the  consolidated  school : 

"The  improvement  and  consolidation  of  rural  schools  and  the  use 
of  such  schools  as  rural  social  centers  have  a  marked  intluence  upon 
the  prosperity  and  intellectual  development  of  the  people  who  live 
in  the  country.  The  movement  in  this  direction  has  only  begun  and 
its  continued  progress  is  dependent  in  a  large  measure  upon  the 
improvement  of  highways  and  highway  transportation.  Better 
roads  are  essential  to  better  rural  schools." 

The  way  is  bei)ig  blazed  by  such  counties  as  Dillon  and  Darling- 
ton. If  one  South  Carolina  county  can  practically  eliminate  one- 
teacher  schools,  why  cannot  all  of  them  do  so?  We  have  resources 
enough  in  South  Carolina  to  provide  good  schools  for  all  our  people 
and  it  is  short-sighted  policy  when  we  do  not.  If  constitutional 
restrictions  limiting  amounts  of  revenue  are  in  the  way  of  adequate 
State  appropriations  and  equalizing  funds  we  should  remove  them 
and  not  only  offer  but  require  every  boy  and  girl  to  have  a  good 
grammar  school  education ;  and  place  within  the  easy  reach  of  all 
good  high  school  facilities. 

Negro  Schools 

We  have  two  distinct  systems  of  schools,  one  for  the  whites  and 
one  for  the  negroes.  While  the  State  has  never  yet  secured  sufficient 
funds  to  provide  everything  in  the  way  of  education  that  it  realizes 
is  needed,  still  each  year  shows  a  steady  advance  in  that  direction. 
And  the  negro  schools  in  Chesterfield  County  showed  marked  improve- 
ment during  the  decade  between  1910  and  1920.  For  example,  in 
1910.  $1,869.35  was  expended  for  the  education  of  the  negro  in  Ches- 
terfield County;  in  1920,  $13,355.22— an  increase  of  more  than  600 
per  cent  in  ten  years ;  or  .59c.  per  colored  child  of  school  age  in  1910, 
as  compared  with  $3.23  per  colored  child  *if  school  age  in  1920.  This 
showing  is  interesting  and  also  gratifying ;  but  a  great  deal  more 
might  be  done  for  the  negro  race  along  these  lines,  with  advantage 
to  the  whites  as  well  as  to  the  negroes.  It  is  cleai-ly  evident  that 
the  system  for  the  whites  is  superior  to  the  one  for  the  negroes, 
and  naturally  so.  Although  the  whites  deserve  a  better  system,  at 
the  same  time  the  negroes  should  not  be  disregarded,  but  should  be 
given  what   is  due  them. 


44962G 


38       Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social 

In  1910  there  were  3,009  whites  enrolled  as  compared  with  1510 
negroes  for  that  year.  For  the  same  year  there  were  2,350  whites 
in  average  attendance  against  1,261  negroes.  These  figures  show  that 
the  average  attendance  compared  with  enrollment  for  the  negroes 
was  greater  than  the  whites  by  4.6  per  cent.  In  1920  the  average 
attendance  compared  with  the  enrollment  for  the  negroes  was  greater 
than  the  whites  by  6.4  per  cent.  During  the  ten  years,  1910-1920, 
the  increase  in  enrollment  has  been  more  than  doubled  and  the  most 
interesting  fact  is  that  with  a  doubled  enrollment  we  also  have  more 
than  a  doubled  attendance.  In  average  attendance  for  the  ten  years 
the  whites  gained  57.8  per  cent,  while  the  negroes  gained  113  per 
cent.  These  figures  show  conclusively  that  the  negro  is  exercising 
greater  energy  toward  the  opportunities  afforded  them  than  the  white 
people. 

In  1920  Chestirfield  County  spent  .$24.13  per  capita  on  her  whites, 
with  a  rank  in  the  State  of  20th.  In  the  same  year  she  spent  $3.35 
per  capita  on  her  negroes,  and  ranked  9th  in  the  State.  So  in  pro- 
portion, compared  to  other  counties,  Chesterfield  is  giving  her  negroes 
a  better  showing  than  she  is  the  whites.  Bamberg  County  only 
spends  $1.45  per  capita  on  the  negroes,  ranking  46th,  while  she 
spends  $30.22  on  her  whites,  ranking  32nd. 

Ten  Years   Gain  In  Our  White  Schools 


1910 


I  Per  Cent 
1920       I     Gain 


Total  Revenues   

Total  value  school  property 

Number  of  local  tax  districts  with 
special  levy  

Number  voting  or  increasing  special 
tax  during  year   

Number  of  town  schools 

Number  of  country  schools 

Number  of  white  schools 

Spent  for  teachers  and  supervision.. 

Spent  for  buildings  and  supplii's.  .  .  . 

Total  school  population 

Total   enrollment    

Per  cent  that  enrollment  is  of  total 
school  population    

Average  daily  attendance  

Per  cent  that  average  daily  attend- 
ance is  of  enrollment    

Average  anmial  salary   (men)    

Average  annual   salary    (women)... 

fLoss. 


(127,578.49 
42,300 

37 


6 

51 

76 

16,691.68 

3,998.40 

4,738 

3,009 

63.5 
2,350 

78.9 
360. 
182. 


$149,429.52 
345,700 

53 

26 

7 

53 

149 

89,552.75 

33,504.05 

6,203 

6,084 

98.08 
3,710 

60.98 
860.70 
567.57 


441.8 
717.2 

43.2 


16.6 
.039t 

96.t 
435.3 
863.2 

30.9 
102.1 

54.4 
57.8 

t22.7 
134.t 
211.8 


Chesterfield  County:  Economic  and   Social       39 

How  We  Rank  In  Schools 

Rank.  1920 
43rd — In  pei'centaKe  of  enrollofl  pupils  In  regular  attend- 
ance (white)    60.98 

GeorjL^etown   ranks  first   with   SO.SJ) ;    Cherokee   last 

with  00.80 ;  average  for  State  67.91. 
36th — In  percentage  of  regular  attendance  (negroes) 67.31 

Georgetown   ranks  first  with   87.24 ;    Hampton   last 

with  63.31 ;  average  for  State  70.60. 
43rd — In  percentage  in  regular  attendance   (both  races)...         63.49 

Georgetown  ranks  first  with  84.89 ;  Dillon  last  with 

61.51 ;  average  for  State  69.34. 
21st— In  percentage  of  white  schools  that  are  one-teacher 

schools 42.10 

Darlington  leads  with  10.34  per  cent ;  Beaufort  las! 

with  76.47  per  cent ;   average   for   State  43.22  per 

cent. 
13th — In  average  length  of  session  in  town  schools  (white) 

in  days   175 

Calhoun,   Georgetown,   Lancaster  and   Richland   tie 

for  first  place  with  180;  Horry  last  with  136. 
32nd — In    average   length    of   session    in    county    schools 

(white)  in  days  118 

Charleston  ranks  first  with  159 ;  Horry  last  with  90. 
22nd — In  per  capita  expenditure  according  to  enrollment 

(white)     $24.13 

Darlington   ranks  first  with  $72.67 ;   Abbeville   last 

with  $16.69 ;  average  for  State,  $26.08. 
11th — In  per  capita  expenditure  according  to  enrollment 

(colored)     $.3.35 

Charleston  ranks  first  with  $11.57 ;  Bamberg  last  with 

$1.45 ;  average  for  State,  $3.04. 
7th— In  per  capita  expenditure  according  to  enrollment 

(both)    $15.90 

Charleston  ranks  first  with  $33.11 ;  Clarendon  last 

with  $7.45;  average  for  State,  $13.93. 
32nd — In  average  salary  paid  white  teachers  (men) $860.70 

Charleston    ranks    first    with    $2.317.62 ;    Lexington 

last  with  $537.00. 
17th — In  average  salary  paid  white  teachers  (women) $.567.57 

Charleston  ranks  first,  $890.25;  Lexington  last  with 

$385.38. 


40       Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social 

Rank.  1920 

13th — In  per  capita  investment  in  school  property $11.42 

Florence  ranks  first  with  $29.07 ;  Fairfield  last  with 

$2.77; 
15th — In  total  value  of  school  property $365,365 

Greenville  ranks  first  with  $2,568,374 ;   Jasper  last 

with  $38,042. 

13th — In  number  of  local  tax  districts 53 

24th — In  number  of  local  tax  districts  levying  special  tax .  .  30 

0th — In  receipts  from  State  appropriations   (both  races)    $36,348.75 

Spartanburg  ranks  first  with  $49,511.38;  Jasper  last 

with  $3,180. 
18th — In  average  number  white  pupils  to  school  accord- 
ing to  enrollment  107 

Charleston  ranks  first  with  159 ;  Berkeley  last  with 

31 ;  average  for  State  81. 
17th — In  average  number  white  pupils  to  school  according 

to  average  attendance    65 

Charleston  ranks  first  with  125 ;  Berkeley  last  with  26. 
ISih — In  average  number  white  pupils  to  teacher  according 

to  enrollment    40 

Pickens  ranks  first  with  IS ;  Berkeley  last  with  24 ; 

average  for  State,  35. 
18th — In  average  number  white  pupils  to  teacher  accord- 
ing to  average  attendance 25 

Jasper  ranks  first  with  15 ;  Greenville  last  with  31. 

Average  for  State,  21. 
12th — In  percentage  that  one-teacher  schools  are  of  total 

white  schools   26 

Dillon   ranks  first  with   4   per    cent;     Georgetown 

ranks  last  with  76  per  cent ;   average  for  State  is  40 

per  cent. 


V. 

WEALTH  AND  TAXATION 


Cl-AUDK    A.    SlIFKRILL. 


Total  Wealth 

In  practice  the  law  of  our  State  requires  that  all  property  be 
returned  for  taxation  on  a  basis  of  42  per  cent  of  the  actual  value. 
On  this  basis,  it  is  our  purpose  to  present  a  comparison  of  the  prop- 
erty in  Chesterfield  County  as  returned  for  taxation  for  the  years 
1910  and  1920,  sho\Yin,sj:  our  increase  for  the  ten  years. 

The  report  of  the  Comptroller  General  for  1910  shows  $3,862,190 
worth  of  property  returned  for  taxation,  of  which  $1,167,560  was 
personal  property  and  $2,264,530  was  real  property.  Reckoning 
this  as  42  per  cent  of  the  actual  value,  we  find  that  the  true  value 
was  $9,195,690.  The  per  capita  wealth  on  the  basis  of  $9,195,690  as 
the  actual  value  was  $349.63. 

For  the  year  1920  we  find  $5,964,370  worth  of  property  returned 
for  taxation,  of  which  $2,342,760  was  personal  property,  and  $3,621,610 
was  real  property.  Reckoning  as  above,  the  actual  value  for  this 
year  was  $14,200,881.  The  per  capita  wealth  based  on  the  actual 
value  $14,200,881  was  $436. 

The  increase  during  the  ten  years,  for  the  taxable  value  was 
$2,102,180  or  54.4  per  cent,  and  for  the  actual  value  was  $5,005,191 ; 
which  was  an  increase  of  the  per  capita  wealth,  for  the  actual  value 
of  $94.57. 

An  Agricultural  County 

Chesterfield  County  is  and  always  has  been  preeminently  an  agri- 
cultural county.  There  are  only  18  other  counties  in  the  State 
which  can  boast  of  greater  agricultural  wealth. 

In  1910  our  total  farm  wealth  amounted  to  $6.494.023 ;  in  1920 
the  value  of  all  our  farm  property  was  $21,351,988.  These  figures 
indicate  a  remarkable  increa.se  of  228  oer  cent  while  Die  average 
for  the  State  for  the  same  period — the  decade  between  1910  and 
1920— was  143  per  cent. 

Tenancy  and  Mortgages  Debts 
In  1920  only  39.8  per  cent    df  our  farms  wore  operated  by  owners, 
while  the  State  average  was  35.1  per  cent.     One-third  t>f  our  owner- 


42       Chesterfield   Coua'ty:   Economic  axd   Social 

operated  farms  were  encumbered  by  mortgages,  with  an  aggregate 
mortgage  indebtedness  of  $535,356.  The  total  value  of  the  land 
and  buildings  on  the  owner-operated  farms  in  1920  was  $2,284,832. 
Thus  it  can  be  seen  that  23.4  per  cent  of  their  value  was  mortgaged. 
Mortgage  debt  on  farm  properties  is  not  an  evil  when  the  end  is 
property  ownership.  Statistics  do  not  indicate  for  what  purpose 
the  money  borrowed  is  applied,  but  if  it  is  converted  into  more  land, 
live  stock,  farm  buildings  and  farming  implements  then  the  mort- 
gage debt  represents  expansion  and  development,  but  not  so  when 
used  for  bread  and  meat,  hay  and  other  operating  expenses. 

Approximately  sixty  per  cent  of  our  farms  are  cultivated  by  ten- 
ants. During  the  decade  from  1910  to  1920  tenancy  in  Chesterfield 
County  increased  about  7  per  cent  and  an  increase  is  noted  in  South 
Carolina  and  the  United  States  generally.  The  counties  in  which 
tenancy  is  smallest  are  letl  by  Beaufort  with  14.9  per  cent  and 
Georgetown  and  Berkeley  with  23.8  per  cent  and  24.2  per  cent 
respectively.  Tenancy,  like  mortgage  debt,  as  a  means  to  ultimate 
ownership,  is  not  to  be  looked  upon  as  a  harmful  tendency.  But  if 
a  tenant  uses  rented  land  merely  as  a  means  of  scant  livelihood  year 
after  year  with  no  thought  of  saving  his  profits  for  the  purpose  of 
purchasing  land  on  which  to  live,  he  becomes  a  liability  rather  than 
an  asset  to  the  conuuunity  and  county.  Farm  ownership  causes 
thrift,  pride  and  independence ;  tenancy  encourages  laziness,  indif- 
ference and  dependence.  There  is  plenty  of  room  for  improvement  in 
this  direction  in  our  county. 

Our  Textile  Mills 

There  are  now  in  the  county  two  mills ;  one  cotton  mill  and  one 
knitting  mill.  Those  have  a  combined  capital  stock  of  $273,679,  and 
employ  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  men,  women  and  children. 
The  mills  are  both  progressive  and  prosperous,  and  offer  most  excel- 
lent advantages  to  any  one  who  cares  to  have  I'eal  work  to  do  at 
good  wages. 

Automobiles 

In  1920  there  was  one  automobile  for  every  15.4  people  in  Chester- 
field County.  In  this  respect  she  ranked  tenth  among  the  counties 
of  the  State:  Marlboro,  with  the  ratio  of  1  to  12.3  ranks  first  and 
Berkeley  with  a  ratio  of  1  to  59.8  ranks  last.  The  average  for  the 
State  was  one  automobile  for  every  18  inhabitants. 

Assuming  $i.l(K)  as  tlie  average  price  per  car,  Chosterfiold  (bounty 
with  her  2,070  automol)iles  has  invested,  at  first  cost,  $2,277,000. 

Based  on  tlie  one-eighth  of  a  cent  a  gallon  tax  on  gasoline  we  used 


Chester I'iKi.i)   County:    Economic  and   Social       43 

900,951  iralloiis  diiriiii:  1920.  At  an  average  value  of  32  cents  a  gal- 
lon, this  totals  .$291,184.32. 

Rating  the  average  number  of  miles  per  gallon  as  13,  there  were 
11,829,363  miles  traveled  on  this  gasoline.  Ten  cents  per  mile  would 
be  a  consei'vative  estimate  for  the  operating  expenses  of  the  car, 
this  to  include  gasoline  cost,  tires,  repairs  and  depreciation  on  car. 
Such  an  estimate  would  indicate  that  it  cost  the  people  of  Chester- 
field County  $1,1S2,9.3G..30  to  operate  their  cars  during  1920,  or  a  cost 
of  $581.12  per  car,  or  $1.5G  per  day  per  car.  Since  automobiles  have 
come  into  general  use  they  have  been  increased  approximately  44.0 
per  cent  per  year  for  the  last  few  years,  but  on  December  31,  1921, 
we  find  only  1880  automobiles  in  Chesterfield  County.  This  shows 
that  9  per  cent  of  the  number  used  in  1920  were  not  registered  in 
1921. 

The  report  of  the  Superintendent  of  Education  for  1920  estimates 
the  value  of  all  school  ijroperty  in  Chesterfield  County  at  .$365,365, 
about  one-sixth  of  the  value  of  the  autoniobiles.  The  total  expendi- 
ture in  1920  in  our  county  for  schools  was  $160,141.35.  In  other 
words,  we  spend  over  seven  times  as  much  to  ride  in  automobiles  in 
one  year  as  we  do  to  educate  our  children.  These  facts  show  con- 
clusively that  we  are  abundantly  able  to  spend  thousands  of  dollars 
more  for  their  education  and  thereby  place  our  money  in  an  invest- 
ment which  yields  ever  inci'easing  dividends  and  which  knows  no 
yearly  depreciation. 

Banks 

In  November,  1919,  we  had  eleven  banks  in  Chesterfield  County, 
one  national  and  ten  State  banks,  with  total  resources  of  $4,981,- 
927.74.  In  1914  we  had  ten  banks,  one  national  and  nine  State, 
with  total  banking  resources  of  $2,337,434.87.  These  figures  indicate 
an  increase  of  112.7  per  cent  in  our  banking  resources  during  five 
years,  or  a  per  capita  increase  from  $88.49  in  1914  to  $155.83  in  1919. 

The  years  1914  and  1919  were  chosen  to  indicate  the  growth  and 
expansion  of  banking  in  our  county  for  the  reason  that  the  figures 
for  1914  will  indicate  pre-war  conditions.  The  report  for  1920,  the 
latest  figures  available,  could  not  be  looke«l  upon  as  indicative  of 
normal  conditions. 

Comparing  loans  and  discounts  for  this  period,  the  1919  figure  is 
$3,027,230.65;  those  for  1914,  $1,839,771.69.  An  inf-rease  of  approxi- 
mately 64.5  per  cent    is  indicated  here. 

These  figures,  however,  are  not  indicative  of  smaller  banking 
business — but  the  establishment  of  a  well  organized  and  systema- 
tized Federal  Keserve  Banking  system  which  makes  possible  the 
realization  of  greater  resources  on  less  capital.    The  decrea.se  in  capi- 


44       Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social 

tal  stock  is  worthy  of  note.  Figures  of  1919  are  $432,750,  and  those 
for  1914  are  $445,394,  or  a  decrease  of  $12,644.  It  was  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  Federal  Reserve  Banking  system  which  enabled  the 
capital  stock  to  remain  the  same  or  be  reduced  in  costs  and  yet  have 
a  very  great  annual  gain  in  resources. 

This  increase  in  all  phases  of  banking  cannot  be  attributed  to  the 
increase  in  popuhition.  for  from  1910  to  1919  we  only  increased  21.5 
per  cent  in  population,  while  we  increased  64.5  per  cent  in  loans 
and  discounts  and  112.7  per  cent  in  banking  resources.  It  just  means 
that  while  times  were  good  we  gained  in  wealth  and  have  laid  it  up 
for  times  that  will  not  be  so  good  or  the  "rainy  day." 

Liberty  Bonds 

Chesterfield  County  ranks  very  low  in  comparison  with  the  other 
counties  of  the  State  in  total  subscription  to  government  bonds 
during  the  recent  World  War.  The  total  subscription  was  $1,044,400, 
which  only  represented  65.5  per  cent  of  our  allotteil  quota. 

Taxation 

The  present  tax  system,  and  no  other,  is  authorized  by  the  Con- 
stitution of  1895,  and  though  only  26  years  old,  has  proven  itself 
inadequate  to  provide  for  a  fast  growing  society.  The  law  requires 
that  all  property,  real,  personal  and  possessory,  be  listed  and  returnetl, 
assessed  and  taxed,  at  its  actual  or  true  value  in  money.  That  this 
provision  is  in  practice  a  dead  letter  is  so  well  recognized  by  every- 
body in  the  State  that  the  State  Tax  Commission  in  1915  found  it 
necessary  to  recognize  this  fact  oflicially  and  openly  to  proceed  with 
the  equalization  of  assessments  on  a  42  per  cent  basis.  According 
to  a  report  of  a  joint  special  committee  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
South  Carolina,  the  general  charge  of  outlawry  against  our  system 
as  it  exists  in  point  is  proved,  for  the  operation  of  the  tax  system 
in  South  Carolina  "is  as  much  of  an  outlaw  business  as  the  gentle 
art  of  cracking  safes  and  distilling  moonshine  whiskey." 

Of  cour.se,  taxation  is  a  State-wide  problem  and  its  solution  will 
be  State-wide  and  not  confined  to  any  one  county,  but  it  will  be 
interesting  to  mention  some  of  the  conditions  that  have  arisen  in  our 
county  by  reason  of  the  general  property  tax.  For  example,  in  1910, 
the  United  States  cen.sus  value  per  acre  of  land  in  Chesterfield 
County  was  $11.97,  and  we  all  know  that  a  census  value  is  ultra 
conservative  when  compared  with  considerations  actually  paid  when 
land  is  sold.  The  assesse<l  tax  value  per  acre  for  1910  was  $2.63. 
Ten  years  ago  might  be  considered  history  by  some,  but  we  learn  that 
in  1920,  the  census  value  per  acre  was  $44.95  and  the  assessed  value 
of  an  acre  of  land  in  Chesterfield  County  was  couched  in  the  grand 


Chesterfield  County  :   Economic  and   Social       45 

sum  of  $3.49.  Thi.s  is  perfcH-tly  ab.svird  when  land  all  arouiul  us  ia 
being  sold  for  from  $25  to  $400  per  acre.  From  a  report  made  by 
a  special  committee  appointed  in  1920  by  tlie  General  As.sembly  of 
South  Carolina  to  make  a  thorough  study  of  the  tax  situation  in  the 
State  and  to  make  recommendations  of  a  solution  thereof  we  find 
that  out  of  a  number  of  traits  of  land  sold  in  Chesterfield  County 
between  July,  1917,  and  February,  191S,  the  assessed  value  for  taxa- 
tion was  less  than  onefouilh  of  the  considerations  actually  paid 
therefor.  And  yet  we  wonder  why  we  have  such  high  lax  rates  and 
still  not  raise  sufficient  revenue  to  meet  the  increasing  demands  of 
government.  In  addition  to  tiiis,  most  of  the  personal  property,  both 
tangible  and  intangible,  which  constitutes  a  large  part  of  our  wealth 
and  fiom  which  a  large  part  of  our  taxes  should  be  derived,  does 
not  find  its  place  upon  our  tax  books.  The  landowner  and  the  cor- 
porations in  Chesterfield  County  bear  the  burden  of  taxation  simply 
because  the  man  whose  wealth  is  composed  of  personal  property  can 
keep  it  off  the  tax  books  and  the  landowner  and  corporations  cannot. 
The  present  tax  law  in  the  State  makes  such  a  state  of  affairs  pos- 
sible. 

Facts  About  Wealth  and  Taxation  in  Chesterfield  County 
Rank. 

19th— In   total  farm   wealth,   1920  census $21,351,988.00 

Anderson  ranks  1st,  with  $61,635,823,  and  Jasper 
ranks  last  with  $4,255,029. 
22nd — In  per  capita  crop  value,  1920   (basetl  on  eleven 

leading  crops)    $132.85 

Calhoun  ranks  1st  with  $234.01,  and  Charleston 
ranks  last  with  $25.37. 
19th — In  value  of  crops  per  acre,  1920  (basetl  on  eleven 

leading  crops)    $34.00 

Beaufort  ranks  1st  with  $72.00,  and  York  ranks 
last  with  $27.00. 

15th— In  value  of  non-food  crops.  1920 $8,182,588.00 

Orangeburg     ranks     1st,     with     $18,216,362,     and 
Jasper  ranks  last,  with   $471,371. 
19th — In  rank  of  counties  in  average  improved  acreage 

per  farm,  1920   33.'^ 

16th— In  total  number  of  farms,  1920 4,487 

Sth — In  area  of  counties  in  square  miles,  1920 837 

28th— In  total  taxable  property,  1920 $14,200,881.00 

Charleston  ranks  1st  with  $89,464,800  and  Allen- 
dale last,  with  $7,802,500. 


40       Chesterfield   County  :    Economic   and   Social 

Rank. 

26th— In  increase  in   taxable  property,   1910-1920 54.4% 

Florence    ranks   1st,    with    123.72   per    cent     and 
Barnwell  last  with  a  loss  of  27.7  per  cent. 

16th— in  tax  rate  per  $100  assessed  valuation,  1920 $3.00 

Pickens  i-anks  1st  with   $4.00  and   Beaufort  last 
with  $2.00. 
4th — In  average  levy  in  county  not  including  principal 

town  districts,  1910   (mills)    44 

Dillon  ranks  1st,  with  49^4  and  Aiken  last  with 
30 1'-. 
4th — In  percentage  that  assessed  value  of  land  per  acre 

is  to  census  value 7.8% 

Census  value  $44.95  and  assessed  $3.49. 

12th— In  number  of  inhabitants  per  bank,  1920 2,906 

Number  of  banks,  eleven. 

15th— In  total  banking  resources,  1914 $2,337,434.87 

Charleston    ranks    1st,    with    $18,981,051.53,    and 
Jasper  last,  with  $76,242.57. 

40th— In  total  subscription  to  Liberty  Loans $1,044,400.00 

39th — In  percentage  increase  in  per  capita  total  bank- 
ing resources,  1914-19  84% 

22nd — In  per  capita  expenditures  according  to  enrollment 

of   whites,    1920    $24.13 

Darlington   ranks  1st   with   $72.67   and   Abbeville 
last,  with  $16.69. 
11th — In    per    capita    expenditure    according    to    enroll- 
ment  of   negroes    $3.35 

7th — In   per   capita    expenditure   according    to    enroll- 
ment of  both  races  $15.90 

12tii — In  percentage  white  mortgagi'd  farms  are  of  total 

farms  owned  by  whites,  1920  8.8% 

12th — In    per   cent   of   mortgaged   farms    (of   all   farms), 

1920    8.2% 

16th— In  negro  farms  mortgaged,  1920 19.7% 

Total  numl)er  owned  I)y  negroes,  319. 

2l8t— In  negro  owned  farm  of  total  farms,  1920 8% 

19th — In  rank  of  counties  in  average  improved  acreage 

per  farm,   1!»2()   38% 

15th— In  total  value  of  all  school  property,  1920 $365,365.00 

<Jreciiville  ranks   1st,   with   $2,568,374   and   .Jn.sper 
l;is(    Willi   .$:!S.()42. 


CllESTKHFIKM)     CoiNTV:     Kc(JNO.MIC    AND     ."^OCIAL  IT 

Rank. 

29th— In  capital  invostod  in  textile  industry,  1920 $141,000.00 

Spartanburg  ranks  1st,  with  $20,886,724  and  Ches- 
terfield 29th  last,  with  $141,000. 

10th — In  number  of  inhabitants  per  automobile,  1920....  15.4 

Marlboro   ranks    1st,   with    12..*}    ind    Bei'koley   last, 
with  59.8. 

IGth — In  number  of  automobiles  and  trucks,  1920 2,070 

Greenville  ranks  1st,  with  6,726  and  Jasper  last, 
with  226. 


VI. 

CHESTERFIELD  AGRICULTURE 


IsoM  Teal. 


Appended  to  the  end  of  this  chapter  will  be  found  a  table,  com- 
piled from  the  1920  census,  which  is  designed  to  show  the  standing  of 
Chesterfield  as  compared  with  the  other  counties  of  the  State.  Ab- 
solute accuracy  is  not  claimed,  but  these  ratings  should  reveal  our 
true  position  in  agrarian  matters,  as  well  as  indicating  the  general 
trend  of  our  farming  methods.  The  salient  facts  contained  therein  are 
used  as  a  basis  of  a  discussion  calculated  to  bring  out  the  most 
noticeable  deficiencies  along  with  whatever  appears  to  be  of  greatest 
excellence  and  desei-ving  special  mention. 

Farms 

The  number  of  farms  given  for  1920  was  4,487,  and  in  this  par- 
ticular we  rank  16th.  The  per  cent  increase  from  1910-1920  was 
27.6  as  against  a  State  Increase  of  only  9.2%.  The  farms  have  a 
wide  range  in  size,  there  being  14  containing  less  than  3  acres  each 
and  10  having  over  1000  acres  apiece.  The  majority  fell  between  the 
20  to  100  acre  limits,  divided  as  follows :  1,963  farms  were  between  20 
and  49  acres,  while  973  had  from  50  to  99  acres.  More  than  half  of 
all  the  farms  are  less  than  50  acres  in  size.  The  natural  conse- 
quences of  this  condition  are  hand  made  crops,  little  improved 
farm  machinery,  high  production  costs,  small  profits,  and  little 
accumulated  farm  wealth.  We  have  far  too  few  farms  of  sufficient 
size  to  permit  extensive  farm  operations  by  the  use  of  improved 
implements  and  modern  methods. 

40.3%  of  the  farm  land  in  the  county  is  improved.  Thirty-one 
counties  make  a  better  showing  in  this  respect.  This  feature  of 
undevelopment  has  its  redeeming  side,  however,  since  it  shows  that 
there  is  still  plenty  of  room  for  expansion,  and  that  tenants  and 
new  settlers  aspiring  to  farm  ownership  will  be  able  to  purchase 
iniiispd  land  at  very  low  prices  and  develop  it  tlieniselves. 

Likewise  we  should  not  be  unduly  concerned  because  51%  of  the 
land  in  farms  is  wmMllaiid.  This  re])reseiits  a  reserve  for  future  use, 
and  at  present  it  is  paying  dividends  by  furnishing  fire  wood,  cross 
ties,  telephone  poles,  and  saw  timber.     Proper  conservation  of  such 


Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and  Soclxl       40 

assets  is  to  bo  cimmraged.  but  tiiere  is   little  (biubt  tlmt   tin-  i)er- 
C'ontiiKO  of  woodbmd   to  tilled   land   is  at   iiroscnt   tno  liii,'li. 

Idle  Land 

It  is  rorogiiizod  that  any  territory  having  forests  should  iireserve 
a  certain  part  of  them  for  the  purpose  of  supplyinyr  timber  and  other 
forest  pi'oducts  that  are  continually  in  demand.  To  meet  these 
needs  we  have  estimated  tliat  ChsterHeld  County  ought  to  have 
50,000  acres  of  wootlland.  But  after  setting  aside  50,000  acres  as 
the  area  tliat  ought  to  be  left  in  woodland,  tliere  remains  in  this 
county  121,028  acres  of  land  that  is  not  utilized  for  any  productive 
purpose.  Allowing  seventy-five  acres  to  the  average  family  of  five 
members,  there  is  room  for  1,022  new  fumilies,  or  S,10f)  people.  The 
waste  land  amounts  to  over  a  fifth  of  the  total  area  of  the  county 
and  could  support,  theoretically,  a  number  oiiuivalent  to  one  fourth 
of  the  present  total  population. 

However,  there  are  various  practical  cousiderations  that  niake 
impossible  the  utilization  of  all  of  the  territory  now  lying  idle. 
Chief  among  these  is  the  lack  of  fertility  of  the  soil  in  some  of  the 
sand  hill  regions.  It  is  realized  that  such  places,  under  present 
methods  of  cultivation,  cannot  be  made  i)rofitable.  Fruit,  and  par- 
ticularly peaches,  is  being  grown  successfully  in  some  parts  of  the 
sand  hills.  Whether  in  time  all  of  this  .section  will  be  so  used 
remains  to  be  seen.  But  irrespective  of  this  result,  and  considering 
only  fertile  areas,  there  can  still  be  found  an  abundance  of  good 
farming  land  as  yet  unoccupied.  That  this  is  an  undesirable  state 
of  affairs  goes  without  saying.  A  spar.sely  settled  conununity  is 
rarely  prosperous.  Good  schools  and  churches  cannot  be  main- 
tained, the  roads  are  generally  poor,  and  there  is  lacking  that  spirit 
of  cooperation  and  good  will  that  comes  from  close  association  with 
companionable  neighbors  and  produces  a  feeling  of  social  well-being. 

Use  of  Farm  Machinery 

More  serious  attention  should  be  directed  to  the  value  of  farm 
implements  and  machinery  per  acre  of  improvcnl  land.  This  value 
is  $7.70  and  places  the  county  in  24th  place.  The  rank 
in  Itself  is  merely  of  passing  interest ;  the  conditions  responsible  for 
it  have  profound  and  far  reaching  effects  and  warrant  investigation. 

The  advent  of  labor  saving  devices  on  the  farm  has  been  slow, 
but  as  is  often  the  case  with  slow  progress,  it  has  been  sure  and 
steady.  Wherever  a  mowing  machine,  a  corn  sheller,  or  wood  saw 
is  introduced,  the  work  which  they  do  is  never  thereafter  done  by 
hand,  or  with  inferior  tools,  as  was  formerly  the  rule.  No  one  will 
deny  that  modern  machinery  lessens  the  grind  and  lightens  the  labor 


50       Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social 

of  the  daily  or  seasonal  work  on  the  farm.  That  it  is  not  more 
extensively  used  is  due  partly  to  the  proverbial  backwardness  of 
farmers,  partly  to  ignorance  and  shiftlessness,  but  chiefly  to  our 
staple  crop  of  cotton  and  the  small  size  of  the  average  farm. 
Cotton  must  be  picked,  and  largely  cultivated,  by  hand.  It  is  well 
known  that  a  little  farm  with  its  limited  output  and  small  scale 
operations  cannot  afford  the  implements  necessary  for  scientific  and 
up-to-date  farming.  Then  where  cotton  is  grown  on  small  farms, 
which  is  the  situation  in  Chesterfield  County,  it  follows  that  very 
little  machinery  can  profitably  be  used.  So  long  as  this  circum- 
stance remains  true,  life  on  the  farm  will  continue  to  be  dull  and 
unattractive,  requiring  arduous  and  never-ceasing  labor  and  yield- 
ing meager  profits  in  return. 

The   Financial   Aspect 

Altho  Chesterfield  County  is  Sth  in  size  in  the  State,  in  value  of 
all  farm  property  it  is  19th.  While  still  below  the  average  in  total 
wealth,  the  rate  of  increase  in  farm  wealth  from  1910-1920  was 
extraordinarily  high,  being  228.7%.  Only  three  other  counties  had  a 
larger  percentage  increase  for  the  same  period.  The  per  capita 
country  wealth  was  $740.89,  which  gave  a  rank  of  19th.  Marlboro, 
in  first  place,  had  for  every  country  dweller  $1,129.(1.3.  In  our 
county  the  value  of  all  crops  grown  in  1919  was  enough  to  give  to 
every  person  in  it  $132.85.  For  the  same  year  Calhoun's  crops 
amounted  to  $234.01  for  every  person.  Chesterfield  came  19th  in 
tlie  value  of  crops  per  acre,  the  figure  being  .$34.00.  For  every  inhab- 
itant we  had  live  stock  products  worth  $13.88,  which  was  a  standing 
of  14th.  Etlgefield  led  with  live  stock  protlucts  valuetl  at  $22.00  per 
I)erson.  The  value  of  cotton  and  other  non-food  crops  grown  in 
Chesterfield  amounted  to  77%  of  the  total  worth  of  all  our  crops. 
Twenty-one  counties  grew  relatively  more  food  stuffs,  and  it  is  a 
safe  prediction  that  they  gained  by  the  policy.  Where  a  farmer 
protluces  his  own  food  and  also  his  stock  feed,  the  money  made  on 
cotton  and  tobacco  is  largely  profit,  but  when  this  is  not  done  he  is 
lialile  to  find  very  little  left  after  meeting  his  living  expeiise.s. 

Livestock  and  Poultry 

Chesterfield's  showing  in  this  department  is  somewhat  above  the 
average.  When  the  meat,  poultry,  butter  and  egg  supply  per  person 
is  considered,  it  becomes  evident  that  the  peoi)le  of  this  county  clearly 
realize  the  tremendous  advantage  of  having  home  raised  products. 
Tiicre  is  a  two  fold  benefit  resulting,  in  that  cotton  money  is  not 
expended  for  talde  reciuirements,  and  there  is  also  a  profit  gained 
from  the  sale  of  surjjlus  meats,  eggs,  and  butter.    A  very  gratifying 


Chesterfield  County:   Economic  and   Social       ^>\ 

tendency  to  be  especially  noted  is  thnt  our  fanners  arc  rapidly 
augmenting  their  stocks  of  cattle,  pork,  and  poultry.  Chesterfield 
was  2nd  in  tiie  State  in  per  cent  increase  in  poultry  from  1!H0-lf>20 
with  80.9%  ;  13th  in  per  cent  increase  in  hogs  1910-llt20  with  WZ  ; 
15th  in  per  cent  increase  in  nimiber  of  cattle  for  same  period  with 
47%.  It  is  hardly  to  be  contended  that  the  farms  are  as  yet  stocked 
to  the  point  of  maximum  profitableness  from  such  sources,  but 
the  progress  being  made  towards  that  very  desirable  end  is  altogether 
satisfactory. 

Crop  Returtis 

While  the  farmers  of  Cheslerfield  County  are  not  in  the  foremost 
rank  of  heavy  producers,  they  are  by  no  means  in  the  rear.  A  glance 
at  the  figures  for  the  leading  crops  will  immediately  dispel  any 
doubts  that  may  exist  as  to  the  competency  of  our  farmers  or  the 
productiveness  of  the  land. 

The  average  value  of  all  crops  per  acre  in  1910  was  .?.34.0().  wliicli 
made  a  rank  of  lOtli  in  the  State.  In  the  total  value  of  all  non-food 
crops  we  came  15th  with  $8,182,588.00  worth.  Orangeburg  led  the 
State  in  this  regard  with  $18,210,302.00.  If  the  money  value  of  all 
the  crops  grown  in  1019  was  divided  equally  among  all  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  county  each  person  would  receive  $132.85.  There 
were  21  counties  in  the  State  that  did  better,  Calhoun  leading  with 
a  per  capita  crop  value  of  $234.01. 

Chesterfield's  showing  in  1919  of  a  yield  of  15.3  bushels  of  corn 
per  acre  was  barely  above  the  state  average.  However,  the  percen- 
tage increase  in  the  total  annual  production  from  1910  to  1919  was 
good ;  the  latter  year  showing  a  46.7%  bigger  crop  than  1910.  The 
1919  yield  of  oats  per  acre  was  20.1  bushels,  thus  entitling  the 
county  to  the  rank  of  12th. 

Cotton 

In  total  production  of  cotton  in  1920,  Orangeburg  came  first  in  the 
State  with  93.000  bales.  Chesterfield's  showing  of  84.000  bales  gave 
her  the  22nd  place  on  the  table.  However,  in  the  matter  of  yield  of 
lint  cotton  per  acre  Chesterfield  ranked  IGth  with  255  pounds. 
Marlboro  County,  by  producing  330  pound?  per  acre,  came  first. 

The  above  figures  prove  that  Chesterfield  i)lanters  are  above  the 
average  in  ability  to  grow  cotton.  The  value  of  this  crop  alone 
brought  into  tlie  county  in  1920  the  sum  of  $2,300,400.  rroficicnicy 
in  the  growing  of  a  money  crop  is  of  great  imi)ortance  and  it  is  a 
distinct  advantage  to  have  such  a  record.  Cotton,  if  properly  co- 
ordinated with  live  stock  and  supplementary  crops,  may  be  made 
the  key  to  wealth. 


52       Chesterfield    County  :    Economic   and    Social 

Corn 

111  1909  there  were  444,138  bushels  of  corn  grown  in  Chesterfield 
County.  For  1919  the  yield  was  651,659  bushels,  which  was  a  gain 
of  207,521  bushels  or  46.7  per  cent.  Only  twelve  other  counties  had 
a  larger  percentage  increase  for  this  period.  If  the  corn  grown  by 
the  whole  State  in  1919  had  been  divided  equally  among  all  the 
people  living  in  it,  each  person  would  have  received  16.3  bushels. 
But  if  the  corn  grown  in  this  county  had  been  divided  among  Chester- 
field County  people,  each  person  would  have  received  20.4  bushels. 
Thus  it  is  seen  that  in  the  matter  of  corn  raised  in  proportion  to 
population  this  county  ranks  well  above  the  State  average.  The 
yield  per  acre  for  the  State  as  a  whole  was  15  bushels  and  in 
Chesterfield  County  it  was  15.3  bushels  per  acre. 

Oats 

In  1919  there  were  4,135  acres  of  land  planted  in  oats  in  this 
county.  From  this  acreage  there  was  harvested  83,394  bushels  of  the 
grain,  or  20.1  bushels  to  the  acre.  The  State  average  in  production 
of  oats  per  acre  was  18.3  bushels.  The  highest  yield  was  obtained 
in  Marlboro  where  28  busiiels  was  the  record.  Only  eleven  counties 
had  a  greater  per  acre  production  than  Chesterfield.  In  respect  to 
the  quantity  of  oats  grown  compared  with  the  number  of  people 
living  within  its  borders,  Chesterfield  again  was  above  the  average, 
liaving  2.6  bushels  to  each  person,  which  gave  it  the  rank  of  17th 
in  the  State. 

Farm  Tenancy 

In  1920  there  were  in  this  county  4,487  farms,  and  of  this  number 
60%  were  operated  by  tenants.  Since  a  higli  degree  of  tenancy  is 
an  admitte<l  evil,  and  as  the  percentage  of  all  farms  in  the  State 
that  were  operated  by  tenants  was  64.5%,  our  standing  is  relatively 
favorable.  In  Marlboro  the  tenancy  ran  as  higli  as  85.6 °o.  The 
actual  number  of  tenants  in  Chesterfield  was  2,693,  of  whom  1,261, 
or  46.8%,  were  negroes. 

There  Is  a  striking  similarity  between  the  counties  having  the 
highest  degree  of  white  tenancy  and  tliose  having  the  greatest 
illiteracy  among  whites.  This  would  seem  to  indicate  that 
tile  reason  most  white  tenants  are  not  land  owners  is  because  they 
liavi'ii't  tlie  oflucation,  or  general  level  of  intelligence,  sufficient  to 
become  and  remain  landed  proprietors.  Whether  this  be  true  or  not, 
the  fact  is  dial  in  tho.se  counties  where  white  tenancy  is  most  i)re- 
valent  there  is  Hiund  the  greatest  extent  of  white  illiteracy- 

Altho  60%  of  the  number  of  all  farms  in  the  county  are  operated 
l»y  tenants,  the  .Miiniint   ..('  land  achially  used  by  (licni   is  only  37.8% 


CHESTERriELD    CoUNTY  :    ECONOMIC    AND     SoCIAL  53 

Of  the  total  area  in  farms.  In  othfr  words  the  1.7'.i4  farms  oi)('rat('(l 
by  owners  or  manat^ors  contain  1!)S,837  acres,  wlicroas  tlu;  '2X,'Xi 
farms  operated  by  tenants  contain  only  121 .0.".";  acres.  This  makes 
the  average  size  of  an  owner  operatetl  fiirm  lio.s  acres,  and  Ihat 
of  a  tenant  operated  farm  44.0  acres. 

It  is  interesting  to  trace  the  color  line  among  the  farming  classes 
of  this  connty.  In  lf)20  there  were  1,444  white  farm  owners  and 
1,432  white  tenants.  For  the  same  year  the  negro  farm  owners 
numbered  340  and  the  negro  tenants  1,2()1.  Thus  it  is  seen  that 
there  were  slightly  more  white  than  negro  tenants.  However,  there 
were  more  white  farm  owners  than  white  tenants,  while  for  every 
negro  farm  owner  there  were  3.7  negro  tenants.  The  situation 
amounts  to  this :  practically  all  the  negroes  engaged  in  agriculture 
in  this  county  are  tenants,  but  the  total  number  of  tenants  is  divided 
nearly  equally  between  whites  and  blacks.  Thei-efore  one-half  the 
tenancy  problem  is  also  a  negro  problem. 

Why  an  exce.ssive  degree  of  tenancy  should  be  avoi<led  will  be 
explaine<l  in  a  later  chapter,  but  the  chief  objections  to  be  listed 
against  it  are  as  follows.  The  system  depends  on  a  rental  to  be 
paid  either  in  cash  or  a  certain  amount  or  fraction  of  the  cotton 
grow^n.  This  forces  the  tenant  to  devote  his  efforts  almost  exclu- 
sively to  one  crop.  Being  poor,  he  must  obtain  his  supplies  from 
merchants  who  take  a  lien  on  his  crop  and  in  addition  often  charge 
a  ruinous  rate  of  interest  on  the  amounts  advanced.  With  these 
conditions  to  face,  the  tenant  naturally  exerts  every  effort  to  get 
all  he  can  out  of  the  farm,  replacing  as  little  as  possible.  The  con- 
sequences are  plainly  in  evidence  wherever  tenancy  is  practise«l : 
depleted,  run-dow^n  soils,  dilapidated  buildings,  and  a  shifting  popu- 
lation caring  little  for  permanent  improvements. 

Dependence  on  Cotton 

In  1920  South  Carolina  had  48  per  cent  of  her  cultivated  land 
planted  in  cotton.  The  staple  sold  for  an  amount  equal  to  51  per 
cent  of  the  total  value  of  the  eleven  leading  crops.  Flence  the 
State  is  justly  known  as  a  leading  exponent  of  the  one-crop  system. 

Chesterlield  County  farmers  in  lt)lt)  planted  42.G:;G  acres  in  corn. 
4,13.5  acres  in  oats,  1,7G1  acres  in  tobacco,  while  they  utilized  for 
cotton  alone  60,850  acres.  The  cotton  acreage  was  4(i.3  per  cent 
of  all  the  cultivated  land,  and  that  year  the  cotton  brought  as  nuich 
as  Gl  per  cent  of  the  value  of  all  crops,  vegetables,  fruits,  and  nuts 
grow^n  in  the  county.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind,  however,  that  I'.'IO 
was  a  banner  year  for  the  cotton  grower  and  that  the  price  received 
for  his  main  conuiiodity  establishcxl  a  high  mark.  This  showing 
was  made  before  the  appearance  of  the  boll  weevil,  and   in  a  year 


54       Chesterfield   County  :  Economic  and   Social 

when  \yeather  conditions  made  possible  a  large  yield,  and  economic 
and  political  circumstances  combined  to  set  a  record  breaking  price. 
If  the  conditions  which  pi-evailed  at  that  time  had  lasted  longer  the 
farmers  would  soon  have  become  fabulously  rich,  but  the  law  of 
mechanics  which  says  that  for  every  action  there  must  be  an  equal 
and  opposite  reaction,  holds  true  in  the  business  world  as  well.  In 
spite  of  the  fact  that  everybody  ought  to  have  known  that  a  boom 
of  unparalleled  magnitude  must  of  necessity  be  followed  by  a  cor- 
responding period  of  depression,  when  the  break  did  come  it  caught 
most  of  the  farmers  unprepared.  Cotton  suddenly  changed  from  a 
big  asset  to  a  heavy  liability.  Expected  profits  turnetl  out  to  be  great 
losses.  Meanwhile  the  food  and  fee<istuffs,  which  had  previously 
been  purchased  with  the  money  realized  on  cotton,  had  to  be  bought 
on  credit.  Obligations  steadily  increased  while  the  price  of  cotton 
continued  downward.  Readjustment  is  even  now  still  in  progress 
and  is  following  the  lines  logically  to  be  expected.  Live  stock  and 
poultry  are  gaining  in  number,  while  food  and  other  supplementary 
crops  are  distinctly  in  vogue. 

It  is  argued  by  the  one-crop  advocates  that  it  is  better  to  grow 
cotton  exclusively  and  purchase  all  the  supplies  necessary  than  to 
divert  the  land  and  labor  to  the  production  of  things  which  show  a 
lower  marketable  value.  It  is  true  that,  in  general,  more  money 
can  be  made  fi'om  an  acre  of  cotton  than  from  the  same  acre  planted 
in  anything  else.  But  what  is  not  so  evident  is  that  altho  there  is  not 
likely  to  be  much  profit  from  tlie  sale  of  these  products,  when  the  aver- 
age farmer  undei'takes  to  buy  them  for  his  own  consuin]ition  he  is 
charged  a  fancy  price.  Usually  they  are  bought  on  credit  and  here 
a  further  toll  is  exacted  to  compensate  the  merchant  for  "carrying"' 
him.  Wlien  every  tiling  is  cleared  up  the  farmer  finds  this  to  be  the 
case.  Food  and  feed  crops  have  not  the  marketable  value  of  coffon. 
Yet  when  he  has  them  to  buy  tlie  cost  is  greater  tlian  the  profit 
realized  on  cotton  on  an  area  sulTicient  to  ])roduee  sncii  food  and 
feedstuffs. 

Where  cotton  is  relied  on  absolutely  an  occasional  good  year  may 
bring  large  monetary  returns,  but  such  good  fortune  is  always 
followwl  by  reverses  that  wipe  out  the  temporary  gains.  Such  a 
system  j)ufs  farming  on  a  gambling  basis,  develops  the  time-credit 
plan,  tends  to  impoverish  the  soil,  increases  the  difficulties  of  crop 
marketing,  makes  for  periodic  idleness  of  macliinery  and  labor, 
lowers  the  genenil  in(eIlig(Mice  of  farm  hands,  and  lias  a  depressing 
effect  on  (he  social  life  of  tlie  comniunily. 

Boll  Weevil  Menace 
As  outliiic«l   aliove,  an  all  cotton  fnrm  is  a  projiosition  of  doubtful 
protitalilcricss    under    norma!    cDndiddns.      Varying   weatlier,    an    un- 


Chesterfikld  County  :  Economic  and   Social       ')') 

stable  market  with  fluctuating  prices,  and  other  shifting  factors  make 
the  undertaking  frauglit  with  financial  dangers  from  the  outset. 
When  we  add  the  long  heralde<l  boll  weevil  to  this  list  of  menaces 
confronting  our  cotton  farmer,  the  situation  becomes  acute.  Up  to 
this  point  a  diversification  of  farming  interests  has  been  urge<l  as 
a  step  intendetl  to  lessen  the  ri.sks  incident  to  farming.  With  the 
advent  of  the  boll  weevil  the  adoption  of  this  policy  ceases  to  be 
merely  advisable  and  becomes  absolutely  neces.sary. 

The  advance  guard  of  the  boll  weevil  invasion  reached  Chester- 
field County  in  1021.  The  damage  done  the  crop  in  our  county  that 
year  was  relatively  slight.  However,  if  the  experience  of  regions 
wiiich  were  earlier  infested  can  be  relied  on,  the  loss  from  this  cause 
will  be  lieavy  in  1922  and  ensuing  years.  This  is  in  our  case  a 
forecast,  but  it  is  based  on  ])ast  results  observed  in  the  boll  weevil 
sections  of  the  country,  and  can  be  accepted  as  rea.sonably  certain. 

The  most  successful  measures  for  combating  the  weevil  have 
been  found  to  be,  first,  a  reduction  of  cotton  acreage  and  an  increase 
in  footl  crops  and  live  stock.  Second,  fall  and  winter  ploughing  and 
elimination  <>f  licdg(M-ows  and  weetly  fence  corners.  Third,  the 
selection  of  an  early  maturing  type  of  cotton,  having  a  stalk  witii 
comparatively  little  foliage.  Fourth,  early  planting  and  intensive 
cultivation.  Fifth,  picking  up  and  burning  fallen  squares,  and  also 
ploughing  under  the  dead  stalks  after  the  crop  is  gathered.  Sixth, 
dusting  the  plants  with  calcium  arsenate. 

Such  steps  re<iuce  the  harm  done  by  the  weevils  to  a  minimum.  As 
yet  no  method  has  been  discovered  whereby  the  evil  eftects  can  be 
eliminated  entirely. 

Our  Viewpoint 

Because  this  county  is  predominantly  agricultural,  having  its 
very  existence  based  on  the  tilling  of  the  soil,  the  fortunes  of  its 
people  ebbing  and  flowing  with  the  ever  changing  conditions  that 
influence  and  control  the  making  and  selling  of  their  crops,  the  posi- 
tion is  here  taken  that  anything  that  affects  either  adversely  or 
favorably,  the  farmer  and  his  work  is  of  supreme  importance.  When 
the  farmer  reaches  the  point  where  he  understands  his  problems  and 
can  successfully  cope  with  their  difficulties,  he  will  have  advanced 
far  towards  that  state  of  efficiency  in  production  that  is  requireil 
of  an  operator  in  other  undertakings.  Once  familiarized  witli  the 
risks,  nee<lless  losses,  and  wasteful  methods  too  often  found  in 
present  day  farnnng.  and  being  made  ac(piainted  with  the  renuMlics 
for  them,  he  will  soon  revolutionize  his  occupation.  With  under- 
standing will  come  appreciation,  and  farmers  as  a  class  will  begin 
to  look  upon  their  work  as  a  profession,  calling  for  all  the  technical 


56       Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social 

learning,  skill,  and  exercise  of  sound  judgment  that  a  manufacturer, 
doctor,  or  chemist  employs.  When  this  is  brought  about  it  will  be 
accompanied  by  security  for  everybody.  For  to  firmly  establish  the 
farmer  in  his  rightful  economic  and  social  standing  is  to  guarantee 
the  preacher,  lawyer,  and  doctor  prompt  payment  of  their  bills;  to 
insure  the  merchant  against  loss  from  customers  impoverished  by 
crop  failures;  to  make  possible  the  support  of  adequate  public  in- 
stitutions. We  believe  the  farmers  to  be  the  real  foundation  on 
which  all  other  interests  in  Chesterfield  County,  either  directly  or 
indirectly,  rest.  We  have  therefore  tried  to  point  out  a  few  places 
where  improvements  may  be  made,  being  of  the  opinion  that  the 
suggestions,  if  carried  out,  will  be  of  material  aid  in  the  future 
development  of  a  county  rich  in  possibilities. 

Facts  About  Farms  and  Their  Management 

The  ratings  listed   below   are  based   mainly   on   the   1920  census 
reiK)rt. 

Among  the  counties  of  the  State,  Chesterfield  ranks : 

16th — In  total  number  of  farms   4,487 

In  1010  there  were  3,.517,  which  makes  970  more 
than  ten  years  ago,  or  an  increase  of  27.6%  for  the 
period.    The  increase  for  the  State  was  only  9.2%. 

19th— In   value  of  all   farm   property    $21,351,988 

Anderson  leads  with  $61,635,823  and  Jasper  is  last, 
having  $4,255,029  worth. 

4th— In  farm  wealth  increase  1910-1920,  per  cent 228.7 

The  State  showed  a  gain  of  143%. 

intli— In  ])er  capita  country  wealth   $740.89 

Marlboro,  in  first  place,  had  in  1920  for  every 
country  dweller  $1,129.(53;  Charleston  had  least, 
$289.57. 

22nd— In  per  capita  crop  values,  1920   $132.85 

Calhoun,  coming  first,  had  $234.01 ;  Charleston,  46th, 
had  $25.37. 

19th— In  value  of  crops  per  acre,  1920 $34.00 

15th— In  value  of  non-food  crops,  1919   $8,182,588 

Orangeburg    produce<l    highest    amount,    $18,216,362, 
and  Jasper  lowest,  $471,371. 

22nd — In  percentage  that  non-food  crops  wei-e  of  total  crop 

values  in  1919 ;  per  cent  77 

lieaufort  made  best  showing,  having  only  22%,  while 
Marlboro's  i)r(Hlu(ts  were  89%  non-food  crops. 

24th — In   value  of  farm   implements  and   machinery   per 


Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social       57 

acre  of  improved  land   $7.70 

For  this  purpose  Anderson  spent  most,  $ll.(i'J;  while 

Barnwell  expended  least,  .$3.84. 
14th — In  value  of  live  stock  products  per  person,  1020.  .  $13.88 

Edgefield's  live  stock  products  per  person  were  worth 

$22.00  and  Charleston's  $1.71. 
32nd — In  farm  land  improved,  per  cent  4G.3 

Barnwell  has  G8.4%,  and  Georgetown  16.9%. 
19th — In  average  improved  acreage  per  farm,  per  «ent  . .  33 

Allendale  is  first  with  55.2%  and  Georgetown  last 

with  21%. 
12th — In  total  land  area  in  woodland,  per  cent 30.7 

Horry's  percentage  is  43.1,  and  Beaufort's  15.4% 

10th — In  woodland  in  farms,  per  cent  51 

34th — In  percentage  of  farms  operated  by  tenants,  per  cent.  GO 

Marlboro's  tenancy  is  greatest,  S5.G%,  and  Beaufort's 

smallest,  14.9%. 
12th — In  percentage  of  all  farms  that  are  mortgaged,  per 

cent 8.2 

14.7%  of  Oconee's  farms  are  mortgaged;  only  2.6%  of 

Marlboro's. 
12th — In  percentage  of  white  owned  farms  that  were  mort- 
gaged   (1910),   per   cent 8.8 

21st — In  percentage  of  all  farms  owned  by  negroes,  per  cent  8 

78%  of  the  farms  in  Beaufort  are  owned  by  negroes ; 

only  2%  In  Dillon. 
16th — In  percentage  of  negro  farms  mortgaged  (1910),  per 

cent     19.7 

17th — In   increased   yield   of  corn   in  1919  over   1910, 

bushels   207,521 

Anderson  showed  increase  of  577,080  bushels ;  Hamp- 
ton decreased  by  334,845  bushels. 
13th — In   percentage   increase   in   corn   production    (1910- 

1919) ,   per   cent    40.7 

22nd — In  yield  of  corn  per  acre  in  1919,  bushels 15.3 

Charleston  makes  23.0  bushels  per  acre  and  Barnwell 

9.5  bushels. 

18th — In  amount  of  corn  per  person  in  1919,  bushels 20.4 

17th — In  amount  of  oats  per  person  in  1919,  bushels 2.6 

12th — In  yield  of  oats  per  acre  in  1919,  bushels 20.1 

Marlboro  has  highest  yield,  28  bushels  per  acre,  and 

Jasper  lowest.  8.1  bushels. 


58         Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and  Social 

Sth — In  wheat  per  person,  bushels   .H 

Lexington  grew  most,  1.9  bushels  per  person  while 

Berkeley  had   none. 
33rd — In  yield  of  wheat  per  acre  in  1919,  bushels 0.0 

Dillon  makes  13  bushels  per  acre  while  Berkeley 

plants  none. 
15th — In  percentage  increase  in  number  of  cattle    (1910- 

1920) ,  per  cent  47 

Dillon's  in^-ease  was  109%  while  Abbeville  decreased 

61%. 
32nd — In  beef  production  per  person  in  1920,  pounds 9.9 

Beaufort  produced  129.8  pounds  for  every  person ; 

Greenville  3.G  pounds.     State  average  17.8  pounds. 
9th — In  number  of  pounds  of  poultry  per  person  in  1920; 

pounds    Ill 

Saluda  had  15.4  pounds ;  Charleston  2.6. 
22nd — ^In  pork  production  per  person  in  1920,  pounds  . . .  77.4 

Horry  had  183.3  pounds ;   York  22  pounds ;    State 

average  G7  pounds. 
2nd— In  increase  of  poultry   (1910-1920),  per  cent 80.9 

Charleston's  increase  was  97.4%  ;  Berkeley  decreased 

by  00.8%. 
.  9th — In  smallness  of  egg  deficit  per  person  in  1919,  dozens  7.8 

Lexinj;ton  had  to  import  only  2.0  dozen  per  person ; 

Charleston  10.2  dozen. 
14tli — In  butter  production  per  person  in  1919,  pounds  .  .  12.5 

Cherokee  produced  23.0  pounds  for  each  inhabitant ; 

Charleston  only  .1  pound.    State  average  8.2  pounds. 
13th— In  increase  in  hogs  1910-1920,  per  cent   96 

The  Iiogs  in  Anderson  increasetl  276%  ;  in  Hampton 

they  decreased  43%. 
12th— In  decrease  of  sheep  1910-1920,  per  cent 35 

Marion  had  an  increase  of  38%  ;   Barnwell's  sheep 

decreased  99%. 
15th — In  production  of  tobacco 
22nd — In  production  of  cotton,  bale.-s    34,000 

Orangel)urg  comes  first  with  93,000  bales;  Beaufort 

last  with  400. 
11th— In  area  of  idle  land,  acres   121,028 

This  estimate  does  not  include  50,000  acres  that  are 

l(;ft  for  woodland. 
1  Ith — 111  imiiiber  of  new  .settlers  needed  8,109 

Allowing  the  average  family  of  five  members  seventy- 


Chesterfield  County:  Economic  and   Social       50 

five  acres  of  land,  this  rouiity  cDuId   accomiiKKliite 
1,G22  new   families. 
16th — In  lint  cotton  produced  per  acre  in  IJfJO,  ixmiids..  255 

Marlboro  made  most,  33G  pounds,  and  Reaufort  least, 
9G  pounds  per  acre. 


VII. 

FOOD  AND  FEED  PRODUCTION 


A.    L.   Campbell. 


It  is  hai'd  to  realize  what  a  small  per  cent  of  the  food  and  feed 
supply  needed  in  Chesterfield  County  is  pro<luced  at  home.  Doubt- 
less many  are  ignorant  of  the  great  amount  of  money  going  out  of 
the  county  each  year  for  food  and  feed  supplies,  which  could  easily 
and  pi'ofitably  be  raised  in  the  county.  If  from  the  facts  set  forth 
in  the  following  paragraphs  some  of  our  farmers  may  be  persuaded 
to  try  to  better  the  situation,  our  work  in  compiling  these  statistics 
will  not  have  been  in  A\ain.  The  figures,  unless  otherwise  stated, 
were  taken  from  the  1920  Census  report. 

Chesterfield  County's  Food  and  Feed  Shortage 

In  1919  Chesterfield  County  consumed  $0,138,155  worth  of  food 
and  feed.  Its  total  production  of  these  supplies  amounted  to  only 
.$3,171,804,  which  is  $2,9GG,351  less  than  the  amount  consumed. 
This  sliows  the  enormous  sum  of  money  leaving  the  county  for  food 
and  feed  supplies  each  year.  When  we  consider  the  fact  that  our 
population  is  almost  entirely  rural  the  folly  of  this  enormous  out- 
flow of  cash  is  more  apparent.  If  the  population  of  all  towns  and 
villages,  where  the  people  are  not  engagwl  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
were  left  out  of  consideration  there  would  still  be  a  shortage — or 
in  other  words  the  actual  farmers  do  not  produce  enough  food  and 
feed  supplies  for  themselves.  It  is  no  uncommon  sight  to  see 
farmers  buying  from  the  local  merchants  some  of  the  most  staple 
articles  of  their  food  and  feed  supply  such  as  corn,  both  for  food 
and  foiMl,  hay,  meat  and  other  livestock  products.  Why  not  raise 
these  sui)i)lies  at  home  and  decrease  the  flow  of  wealth  from  our 
county?  In  the  long  run  this  will  be  found  the  best  policy  with 
most  of  our  staple  articles  of  food  and  feed.  In  some  instances 
it  has  even  proved  to  be  a  wise  policy  to  grow  enough  wheat  for 
home  consumijtion  notwithstanding  the  comparatively  low  acreage 
yield   in  Chesterfield   County. 

Cotton,  as  we  all  know,  is  our  thief  money  crop.  It  is  not  our 
iiitenlion  to  disparage  the  growing  of  this  croj) ;  for  even  under  boll 
weevil  conditions  it  can  still  be  profitably  grown  after  the  farmers 
leurn  the  best  methods  to  co])e  with  the  pest.  It  seems  very  likely 
that  cotton  will  foutiiiue  to  be  flic  chief  money  cfoi)  in  Chesterfield 


Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social       CI 

County,  but  we  licpe  not  tlio  only  one  as  it  has  been  in  the  past. 
The  extent  to  which  non-food  rrops  are  jirnwn  in  <iur  county  is 
shown  by  the  figures  in  the  following  paragraph. 

During  the  year  1019  the  non-food  trops  produced  in  Chesterfield 
County  sold  for  $S,1S2,5SS.  These  figures  compared  wifh  those  of 
the  production  of  food  crops  show  that  the  value  of  non-food  crops 
Is  $5,009,784  in  excess  of  all  food  and  feed  crops  produced.  During 
the  past  few  years  instead  of  increasing  to  their  correct  proportion 
of  the  total  value  of  all  crops  produced  in  the  county,  food  and  feed 
crops  have  not  even  kept  pace  in  percentage  increase  with  non-food 
crops,  notably  with  cotton.  For  instance  in  1010  the  total  volume 
of  all  crops  produceil  in  Chesterfield  County  was  $3,107,504.  Of 
this  amount  $2,352,047  worth,  or  75  per  cent  of  the  total,  was  non- 
food ci'ops,  leaving  only  $755,517  worth  of  footl  and  feed.  In  1919 
the  total  value  of  all  crops  protluced  in  our  county  was  $10,004,070. 
Of  this  amount  the  $8,182,588  worth  of  non-food  crops  reijresent  77 
per  cent  of  the  total.  The  above  figures  besides  showing  tliat  the 
production  of  food  crops  has  not  kept  pace  with  the  production 
of  non-food  crops,  also  show  the  great  extent  to  which  the  farmers 
of  our  county  are  dependent  upon  money  crops  for  their  existence. 

Our  food  shortage  as  shown  by  the  table  at  the  end  of  this  chapter 
represents  only  the  shortage  in  necessities  that  could  be  raised  at 
home,  or  in  other  words  only  staple  food  and  feed  stuffs  are  taken 
into  consideration.  If  the  value  of  the  necessarily  imported  articles 
of  food  and  luxuries  used  in  our  county  was  a<lded  to  the  shortage, 
our  food  bill  would  be  a  great  deal  larger.  These  articles  must  be 
bought  either  from  the  proceeds  of  some  non-food  crop  or  from  the 
sale  of  food  and  feed  supplies.  They  do  not  figure  importantly  in 
this  discussion  since  oiar  chief  aim  is  to  show  wherein  we  fail  in 
making  use  of  our  soil  and  climatic  resources  in  raising  the  staple 
articles  of  supply  to  which  our  geographical  position  is  suited. 

It  has  been  arguefl  that  our  farmers  can  gi'ow  non-food  crops  and 
purchase  their  food  and  feed  supplies  more  profitably  than  they  can 
be  grown  at  home.  This  is  not  the  case.  There  is  not  a  single 
article  listed  in  our  shortage  table  that  cannot  be  grown  in  the 
county  more  cheaply  than  it  can  be  purchased  from  outside  sources. 
When  supplies  are  imported,  the  farmer  has  to  pay  the  profits  of 
the  middlemen  between  tlie  producer  and  himself,  as  well  as  trans- 
portation costs.  Those  items  of  expense  do  not  increa.se  the  value 
of  the  article  at  all  but  they  add  to  the  purchase  price.  As  our  food 
and  feed  deficit  of  $2,900,351  is  decreased  the  wealth  of  our  county 
will  be  correspondingly  increased. 


62       Chesterfield  County:  Ecoxomic  and   Social 

Shortage  in  Detail 

Although  Chesterfield  County  ranks  13th  in  the  state  in  corn 
.production  there  is  not  nearly  enough  produced  in  the  county  to 
meet  the  home  demands.  To  supply  the  needs  of  the  population  and 
to  furnish  ihe  necessary  supply  foi-  livestock,  991,039  bushels  of 
corn  are  needed  yearly.  In  1920  our  production  was  only  051,659 
bushels.  There  was,  therefore,  a  total  shortage  of  339,380  bushels, 
or  a  per  capita  shortage  of  10.5  bushels.  So  large  a  corn  deficit  is 
inexcusable  when  we  bear  in  mind  the  adaptibility  of  our  soil  and 
climate  to  corn  production  and  the  comparatively  good  yields  produced 
per  acre. 

In  hay  and  forage  production  we  also  fall  short.  The  necessary 
amount  to  feed  our  livestock  during  the  year  1920  was  12,948  tons. 
Only  8,344  tons  were  produced,  leaving  a  deficit  of  4,G04  tons.  This 
shortage  is  especially  significant  when  we  realize  that  our  meat 
production,  beef  particularily,  is  affected  thereby.  Twenty-four 
counties  produced  less  hay  and  forage  than  Chesterfield.  The  extent 
of  the  increase  in  the  production  of  hay  and  forage  during  the  last 
ten  years  is  very  encouraging.  In  1910  only  1,487  tons  were  produced 
while  in  1920  the  production  was  8,344  tons,  an  increase  during  the 
decade  of  0,857  tons,  or  a  percentage  increase  of  461  per  cent. 

Another  staple  ai-ticle  of  food  in  which  our  production  was 
deficient  is  butter.  The  needed  amount  per  year  is  1,534,512  pounds. 
The  yearly  production  in  Chesterfield  County  is  only  400,270  pounds. 
This  leaves  a  deficit  of  1,134,242  pounds,  or  a  per  capita  deficit  of 
35  pounds.  Considering  the  wholesomeness  of  dairy  products  as 
foods  and  the  cheapness  of  their  production  this  shortage  is  aston- 
ishing and  of  great  import.  Every  farmer,  both  tenant  and  land- 
owner, should  own  at  least  one  milk  cow.  Nothing  else  at  so  small 
expense  will  add  as  much  to  the  food  supply. 

Our  total  meat  shortage  was  1,863,015  pounds.  This  inchulos  all 
kinds  of  meats  used  for  food  but  of  course  beef  and  pork  comprised 
the  greater  part.  The  total  amount  produced  was  2,996,293  pounds. 
The  amount  needed  was  4,859,288  pounds.  In  other  words  1,863,015 
pounds  of  meat  had  to  be  secured  outside  of  the  county.  At  the 
l)rcs('nf  coinparntivcly  high  i)rices  of  meats  this  represents  a  vast 
expciKliturc. 

Reasons  for  Deficit  in  Home  Grown  Supplies 

There  are  tiiree  main  factors  causing  Clu'slcrlicld  County's  dt'licit. 
These  are:  (1)  excessive  tenancy;  (2)  the  one  crop  evil:  (3) 
the  lack  of  a  ready  cash  market  for  honic  raised  supjdics.  Each  of 
these  are  evils  that  can  gradually  be  corrected  by  the  farmers  them- 


Chesterfield   Cointy  :   Economic  and   Social       G3 

selves  aiul  by  the  cooiiorativo  cikUnivoi-  of  the  raniH'is  and  local 
business  men. 

Tenancy  is  the  prevailing  system  of  land  tenure  in  the  county. 
Of  the  4,4S7  farm.s  in  Chesterfield  County  in  1020  2,0;):{,  or  (JO  per 
cent,  were  operated  by  tenants.  This  system  has  been  },'rudually 
growing  on  us  for  many  years.  In  1010,  of  the  3,517  farms  in  our 
county  only  1,SG5,  or  03  per  cent,  were  operateil  by  tenants.  That 
the  production  of  food  and  feed  crops  is  affected  by  this  system  can 
be  easily  recognized  by  a  little  thought.  Most  cash  renters  as  well 
as  share  croppers  produce  their  crops  with  borrowed  capital,  either 
in  the  form  of  supplies,  stock  and  farming  machinery  or  in  cash. 
To  be  able  to  pay  his  landlord,  merchant  or  banker  when  the  crop 
is  harvested,  the  tenant  must  be  able  to  turn  his  produce  into  ready 
cash.  Under  the  present  conditions  this  cannot  be  satisfactorily 
done  except  with  the  so  called  money  crops,  cotton  and  tobacco. 
The  average  length  of  occupancy  of  a  farm  by  the  tenant  under  the 
existing  system  is  scarcely  longer  than  two  years.  Thus  we  see 
there  is  no  incentive  for  the  tenant  farmer  to  attempt  to  improve 
the  land,  rather  to  take  all  the  fertility  possible  from  the  soil  during 
his  occupancy.  Therefore,  cotton  and  tobacco  are  the  chief  crops 
of  farms  worked  by  non-owners.  The  tenant  is  not  to  be  blamed 
for  this  condition.  Owing  to  the  short  term  contract  usually  made 
between  the  landlord  and  tenant  no  satisfactory  system  of  diver- 
sified farming  can  be  established  by  the  tenant.  He  will  not  take 
chances  upon  having  a  portion  of  the  fruits  of  his  toil  reaped  by  his 
successor.  Since  tenancy  in  some  form  is  sure  to  be  continued  as 
a  method  of  land  tenure  owing  to  the  size  of  our  farms  and  the 
character  of  the  population,  the  plausible  way  to  combat  the  evil 
effects  is  to  improve  the  system  and  educate  the  tenant  farmers 
along  the  line  of  diversified  farming.  The  situation  create^l  by  the 
boll  weevil  problem  makes  it  as  necessary  for  the  tenant  farmer  to 
be  able  to  live  at  home  as  it  is  for  the  owner  operator. 

The  prevailing  tendency  of  our  farmers  to  follow  the  one  crop 
system  of  farming  makes  for  a  large  deficit  in  food  and  feed  supplies. 
Money  crops  compristxl  in  1020,  77  per  cent  of  the  total  value  of  all 
crops  produceil  in  the  county.  This  77  per  cent  was  composed  almost 
entirely  of  the  one  crop,  cotton.  With  such  a  large  per  cent  of  our 
farm  laud  planted  in  cotton,  food  and  feed  crops  can  only  be 
planted  to  a  very  small  extent. 

The  third  reason  for  the  food  and  feed  deficit  has  to  do  with  the 
disposition  of  these  .supplies  after  they  are  produced.  There  is  no 
question  conierning  the  disposition  of  all  fee<l  crops  prinlueed  for 
they  can  be  di.sposed  of  most  profitably  by  having  them  consumed 
by  stock  on  the  farm.     Unless  there  is  a  way  provided  for  disposing 


64       Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social 

of  the  surplus  food  products  produced  the  tendency  will  continue 
to  be  towards  underproduction.  Our  local  market  system  at  present 
does  not  offer  the  farmers  satisfactory  cash  markets  for  produce 
other  than  cotton  and  tobacco.  An  improvement  in  the  marketing 
situation  would  add  an  incentive  to  the  production  of  food  and  feed 
supplies. 

How  Conditions  May  Be  Improved 

There  has  been  much  written  about  and  many  estimates  made 
of  the  loss  that  the  South  sustains  annually  through  its  failure  to 
produce  enough  food  crops  and  animal  products  for  its  own  needs. 
It  seems  to  be  the  consensus  of  opinion  among  the  farmers'  advisors 
that  it  is  bad  business  to  buy  what  can  be  produced  at  home.  This 
is  not  alwaj's  true,  but  under  the  present  circumstances  it  is  certainly 
the  safest  plan  for  the  farmer  to  follow,  owing  to  the  added  dangers 
of  the  one  crop  system  occasioned  by  the  advent  of  the  boll  weevil. 
Our  food  and  feed  deficit  must  be  cut  down  and  the  remedy  seems 
to  be  diversified  or  balanced  farming  including  liberal  attention  to 
stock  raising.  This,  of  course,  does  not  mean  that  cotton  must  be 
left  out  altogether  but  that  it  must  cease  to  monopolize  the  attention 
of  the  farmers. 

There  are  certain  essentials  to  any  satisfactory  and  permanently 
successful  cropping  or  farming  system:  (1)  the  system  must  main- 
tain or  increase  soil  fertility;  (2)  it  must  not  involve  too  great  a 
i'isk;  (3)  it  must  yield  a  fair  money  return  for  labor  and  capital 
invested. 

The  first  of  these  essentials  not  only  involves  the  crops  grown, 
but  also  the  manner  of  disposing  of  these  crops.  The  second  essen- 
tial requires  that  there  be  more  than  one  crop,  and  perhaps  more 
than  one  money  crop.  It  is  too  risky  for  the  average  farmer  to 
depend  on  any  one  crop  to  furnish  the  revenue  with  which  to  buy 
his  necessities.  Cotton  will  continue  to  be  our  chief  money  crop  in 
Chesterfield  County  but  for  our  farmers  to  play  safe  it  should  not  be 
the  only  source  of  revenue. 

The  third  essential  of  a  successful  cropping  system,  a  fair  money 
return  for  labor  and  capital  invested,  will  be  evident  under  the 
system  of  balanced  farming.  The  income  will  be  more  substantial 
after  this  system  is  in  operation  than  it  is  at  present  and  the 
chances  of  loss  a  great  deal  less.  The  revenue  received  from 
the  sale  of  money  crops  can  be  .spent  in  making  permanent  im- 
provements on  tlie  farm  and  in  the  home,  thereby  increasing 
the  productiveness  of  the  farm  and  making  farm  life  more 
wortliwliile.  Tinder  a  thoroughly  balanced  system  of  farming  both 
caiiital  and  labor  can  be  used  to  best  advantage  for  the  entire  year. 


CnESTKRi'iELi)  County:   Economic  and   Social       05 

Instead  of  a  larj^e  oxpoiuliture  in  one  season  of  the  year  and  almost 
the  total  income  coming;;  in  at  a  later  season  the  expense  and  income 
will  be  spread  througliout  the  year.  The  seasonal  nature  of  labor 
occasioned  by  the  one  crop  system  will  also  be  remedied.  Profitable 
employment  can  be  found  on  the  farm  during  all  seasons. 

The  development  of  the  livestock  industry  should  be  an  important 
factor  under  a  system  of  diversiticd  farming.  The  raising  of  live- 
stock necessitates  the  production  of  feed  crops,  for  no  more  livestock 
should  be  kept  than  the  farmer  produces  feedstuffs  to  feed.  In  other 
words,  certain  crops  must  be  produced  under  a  system  of  diversified 
fai'ming  to  maintain  soil  fertility  as  well  as  supply  the  needs  on 
the  farm,  and  when  such  crops  are  produced,  then  livestock  enough 
should  be  kept  to  consume  the  surplus  of  these  crops. 

Feed  crops,  if  grown  to  sell  directly,  cannot  compete  with  cotton 
as  a  money  cro[),  but  growing  feed  crops  to  be  consumed  by  livestock 
is  very  different.  If  our  acreage  in  money  crops  is  to  be  decreased 
then  our  acres  must  be  made  more  productive.  The  growing  of  feed 
crops  for  our  stock  on  a  balanced  farming  plan  offers  the  best  means 
to  this  end ;  because  some  of  the  best  soil  improving  crops  such  as 
velvet  beans,  vetch,  clover  and  cowpeas  are  at  the  same  time  among 
the  best  feetl  crops.  Thus  an  increased  interest  in  stock  raising  will 
besides  wiping  out  our  meat  deficit,  furnish  an  additional  source  of 
revenue  and  go  far  towards  putting  our  farmers  on  a  substantial 
basis  of  farming. 

The  number  of  livestock  in  Chesterfield  County  is  shown  in  detail 
in  the  table  of  livestock  units  at  the  end  of  this  chapter.  A  lightly 
stocked  farm  area  means  one  animal  unit  for  every  five  acres  of 
land  in  farms.  An  animal  vuiit  consists  of  either  one  horse,  one 
milk  cow,  two  beef  cattle,  five  hogs,  seven  sheei).  or  one  hundred 
fowls.  For  our  county  to  be  on  a  lightly  stocked  basis  we  need 
G3,97S  animal  units,  while  only  1G,4U3  are  to  be  found.  In  other 
words,  our  farms  are  supporting  only  25  per  cent  of  the  number  <if 
livestock  that  they  should  under  a  balanced  farming  system. 

Since  dairy  and  beef  cattle,  sheep,  swine  and  poultry  snpi>1y  prac- 
tically one-half  of  the  food  .supply  of  the  country  our  failure  to  have 
our  farms  well  stocked  results  in  a  very  serious  delicit  in  our  foml 
prcKluction.  The  meat  bill  is  one  of  the  biggest  items  in  the  grocery 
bill  of  the  average  family.  Any  farmer  can  jirtHluce  his  meat  supply 
at  very  small  cost  on  surplus  products  about  the  farm.  Four  hogs 
averaging  150  pounds  each  and  two  or  three  beef  cattle  will  furnish 
the  bulk  of  the  meat  supply  for  the  average  family.  The  addition  of 
more  cattle  and  swine  on  our  farms  will  decrease  our  grocery  bills 
and  better  utilize  the  land  not   suited   for  cultivattMl   crops. 


6G       Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social 

Dairying  stiould  be  developed  tc  a  greater  extent  in  Chesterfield 
County.  At  present  we  have  only  3,685  milk  cows  in  the  county. 
That  is  approximately  one  milk  cow  for  every  nine  persons  which 
is  evidently  too  small  a  number  to  furnish  the  needetl  supply  of 
dairy  products  all  the  year  round.  Dairying  should  become  a 
profitable  industry  in  Chesterfield  County  if  creameries  were  estab- 
lished and  operated  on  the  cooperative  plan.  It  is  more  profitable 
to  sell  cream  to  a  creamery  than  to  make  farm  butter  for  sale. 
It  has  been  found  that  a  creamery  can  be  profitably  operated  where 
the  continuous  supply  of  products  from  six  hundred  cows  may  be 
had.  It  would  be  a  decided  step  forward  in  our  farming  system  if 
dairying  should  be  developed  to  the  extent  that  creameries  could  be 
established  in  various  sections  of  the  county. 

Poultry  raising  is  another  neglected  feature  of  farming  that 
merits  increased  attention.  The  cost  of  living  on  the  farm  could  be 
materially  decreased  by  an  iuci-eased  production  of  poultry  products. 
The  cost  of  keeping  a  flock  of  laying  hens  and  enough  other  poultry 
to  furnish  a  variety  in  the  meat  supply  is  relatively  low  considering 
tne  value  of  their  products.  Every  farmer  will  profit  by  the  addition 
of  a  few  fowls  to  his  barnyard.  Besides  producing  enough  poultry 
products  for  home  consumption  many  farmers  find  it  profitable  to 
produce  a  surplus  for  the  market.  Poultry  raising,  both  as  a  side 
line  and  as  an  industry,  is  gaining  a  foothold  in  Chesterfield  County. 
An  organization  of  poultry  raisers  has  been  organized  which  is 
increasing  the  interest  in  the  industry  and  putting  it  on  a  firm  basis. 

Chesterfield  County  Balance  Sheet  in  Foodstuifs:  1919 

1.  Food  and  feed  needed : 

31,9(;!»  people  @  $161.28    $5,155,060 

7,106  work  animals  @  $75.75   538,279 

5,984  dairy  cattle  @  $35.67   213,449 

1,102  other  cattle  @  $15.55  16,136 

95   sheep   @   $3.44    327 

16,641  swine  @  $12.86   214,003 

Total  food  and  feed  needed    $6,138,155 

2.  Food  and  feed  produced  : 

Food  and  feed  crops   $2,424,088 

Dairy  products  194,635 

Poultry  products    246,341 

Honey  and  wax   3,082 

Heef  cattle  and  swine 303,658 

I'otnl  food  and  feed  produced  $3,171,804 


Chesterfield  County  :   Economic  and   Social       07 

Shortage  in  hoino-raised  footl  and  feed   2,000,351 

Cotton  and  other  non-food  crops   8,182,588 

Distribution  of  Food  and  Feed  Shortage 
1.     Meat  needed  for  31,001)  peoph?  (Ti)  152  pounds 4,850,288 

Meat  produced  : 

546  calves  @  150  pounds  81,000 

550  cattle  @  350  pounds  104,(!00 

102,838  poultry  @  3.5  pounds 350,033 

14,746  swine  @  160  pounds 2,350,840 

Total  meat  produced  2,0f)0,273 


Shortage     1,803,015 

2.     Butter  needed  for  31,969  people  @  48  pounds 1,534,512 

Produced    400,270 


Deficit,    pounds    1.134,242 

3,    Fowls  needed  @  12  fowls  per  person  383,028 

Produced    101  ,S3(i 


Deficit,   fowls    281,792 

4.    Eggs  needed  @  17.5  dozen  per  person 550,458 

Prod.iced    309,052 


Deficit,  dozen   240,806 

5.     Corn  needetl  @  31  bushels  per  person 001,039 

Produced,  bushels   051,059 


Deficit   330,380 

6.     Wheat  needed  @  4  bushels  per  person 127,876 

Produced,  bushels   18,112 


Deficit,    bushels    100,704 

7.     Hay  needed  for  7,095  work  animals  @  10  tons  per  day,  12.948 

Produced,  tons   8,344 

Deficit,    tons    4.004 

Facts  About  Food  and  Feed  Production 

The  following  facts  and  comparisons  show  in  com  ise  form  how 
Chesterfield  County  ranks  in  the  state  in  the  production  of  a  few 
staple  articles  of  food  and  feed.  Th*>  data  are  derived  mainly  from 
the  United  States  Census  of  3920. 


68       Chesterfield   County  :   Economic  and   Social 

loth — In  total  corn  production,  bushels   651,059 

Orangeburg  County  led  with  1,460,318  bushels.  Jasper 
County  produced  least  with  a  yield  of  154,526  bushels. 
The  average  county  production  in  the  state  was  597,218 
bushels. 

22nd — In  corn  production  per  acre,  bushels 15.3 

Charleston  County  ranks  first  with  a  per  acre  produc- 
tion of  23.6  bushels.  Barnwell  comes  last  with  a  pro- 
duction of  9.5  bushels  per  acre.  The  state  average 
was  15  bushels  per  acre. 

ISth — In  per  capita  production  of  corn,  bushels   20.4 

Calhoun  ranks  first  with  a  per  capita  production  of 
31.8  bushels.  Charleston  comes  last  with  4.2  bushels. 
State  average  16.3  bushels  per  person.  Since  for  our 
food  supply  and  feed  for  livestock  there  is  needed  31 
bushels  per  person,  we  find  a  per  capita  shortage  in 
Chesterfield  County  of  10  bushels.  The  total  deficit  for 
the  county  is  339,380  bushels. 

13th — In  per  cent  increase  in  corn  production  1910-1919...  46.7 

Charleston  County  ranks  first  with  an  increase  of  108.2 
per  cent.    Three  counties  showed  a  decrease. 

8th — In  wheat  production  per  person,  bushels   .6 

Lexington  County  with  a  per  capita  production  of  1.9 
bushels  ranks  first.  Thirteen  counties  produced  less 
than  .1  bushel  per  person.  State  average  is  .37  bushels 
per  capita.  Four  bushels  per  person  are  needed ; 
therefore,  our  deficit  is  3.4  bushols  per  person,  or  a 
total  of  108,594  bushels. 

33rd — In  wheat  prcxluction  per  acre,  bushels   0.6 

Dillon  County  with  a  per  acre  production  of  13  bushels 
leads  in  this  respect.    Average  for  state,  7.4  bushols. 

22nd — In  hay  and  forage  produced,  total  crop  (tons)    8,344 

During  the  ten  year  period  1910  to  1920  prcxluction 
incroaswl  from  1,487  tons  to  8,344  tons,  an  increase  of 
400  per  cent. 

12tii — In  oats  produced  per  acrt>,  bushels   20.1 

Marlboro  le<l  with  28  bushels  per  acre.  Jasper  comes 
last  with  only  8.1  bushels  per  acre.  Average  for  state. 
18.35  bushels. 

17tb — In  per  capita  oat  prcKluctioii,  buslicls   2.6 

Saluda  ranks  first  with  10.2  bushels  produced  per 
capita.    The  state  average  was  2.1  bushels  per  person. 


Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and  Social        C9 

32n(l — In  beof  production  \nn-  poi'Son,  pouiids   9.9 

Beaufort  County  led  with  129.8  pounds  per  person. 
Greenville  last  with  only  3.G  pounds  per  capita.  Aver- 
age for  state,  17.S  pounds. 

22nd — In  pork  production  per  capita,  pounds 77.4 

Horry  County  ranks  lirst  with  183.3  pounds  per  capita. 
York  comes  last  with  22  pounds. 

15th — In  increase  in  number  of  cattle  1910  to  1920,  per  cent. .  47 

Dillon  comes  first  with  an  increase  of  109  per  cent. 

13th — In   pei-centase   increase   in   swine    9G 

Anderson  County  ranks  first  with  an  increase  of  270 
per  cent. 

14th — In  value  of  total  livestock  products  per  person $13.88 

Edgefield    ranks    first    with    $22     wortli     per    capita. 

Charleston  ranks  lowest  with  $1.70  worth  per  person. 
14th-— In  l)utter  production  per  person,  pounds   12 

Cherokee  County   comes   first   with   23.6   pounds   per 

capita.     Charleston  ranks  lowest  with  only  one  pound 

per  person.    Average  for  state,  8.2  pounds. 
9th — In  smallness  of  egg  deficit  per  person,  dozen 7.8 

Lexington  comes  first  with  a  deficit  of  only  2.G  dozen. 

Charleston  conies  last  with  a  deficit  of  16.2  dozen. 
2nd— In  increase  of  poultry  of  all  kinds  1910-1920,  per  cent.  80.9 

Charleston  ranks   first  with   an  increase  of  97.4  per 

cent.    Berkeley  comes  last  by  decreasing  60.8  per  cent. 
9th — In  poultry  protluction  per  person,  pounds 11.1 

Saluda  County  produces  most,  15.4  pounds  per  capita. 

Charleston  comes  last  with  only  2.0  pounds  per  person. 

Chesterfield  County  Livestock — 1920  Census 

1.     Animal  units  on  h:in<l  :                                                         Animal  units 

6960  mature  work   animals    6.900 

88  colts   (1-2)    « 

3085  dairy  cattle    3,GS5 

3171  calves  and  heifers   (1-2)    1.5S0 

827  other  cattle  (1-2)    413 

8811   swine    (1-5)    1,702 

7830  pigs   (1-10)    7S3 

71    sheep     (1-7)     10 

24  lambs    (1-10)    2 

101,836  poultry    (1-100)    1,018 

Total    aniiiKil    units    10,403 


TO       Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social 

II.     Animal  units  needed  : 

Acres  in  farms  divided  by  5 — 319,892  acres  divided 

by    5     63,978 

Per  cent  that  units  on  Jiand  is  of  tlie  units  on  a 

lightly  stocked  farm  area   25 

Per  cent  below  the  level  75 


VIII. 

EVIDENCES  OF  PROGRESS 


IsoM  Teal. 
A.  L.  Campbkll. 


The  most  outstaudlng  characteristic  of  this  county  in  recent  times 
has  been  its  extraordinary  rate  of  development.  Not  so  many  years 
ago  land  could  be  bought  in  large  tracts  at  the  ridiculously  low  price 
of  one  dollar  an  acre.  The  rural  districts  were  spar.sely  settled  and 
farming  was  relatively  unprofitable.  Roads  were  more  like  winding 
trails  than  highways.  One  teacher  schools  were  common,  and  a  gen- 
eral condition  of  backwardness  prevailed. 

The  last  decade  or  two  has  changed  all  that.  Throughout  the 
breadth  of  the  county  there  has  occurred  a  great  movement  of  expan- 
sion and  inii)rovement.  On  all  sides  and  in  every  activity  betterments 
are  to  be  noted.  Wo  propose  in  this  chapter  to  introduce  some  of  the 
evidences  of  such  advancement. 

Agriculture 

Since  Chesterfield  County  is  so  predominantly  a  rural  community 
the  rating  of  the  county  is  determined  by  the  condition  of  its  farmers. 
Its  progress  depends  almost  entirely  on  those  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  Any  progressive  step  in  agriculture  means  an  advance 
for  the  county  as  a  whole. 

During  the  last  decade  our  farm  weaUh  increased  228.7  per  cent. 
Only  three  counties  increased  more.  That  our  farmers  are  making 
good  use  of  their  ability  and  increased  resources  is  shown  by  the 
many  instances  where  we  lead  in  production.  In  1010  only  14 
counties  produced  more  corn,  15  more  cotton  per  acre,  S  more 
poultry  products  and  13  more  dairy  products  per  capita,  than 
Chesterfield.  Our  increase  in  the  production  of  these  and  other 
products  during  the  last  decade  is  well  above  the  state  average. 
Only  12  counties  rank  higher  in  percentage  increase  of  corn  produc- 
tion, 1010-1020;  12  in  increase  in  swine,  and  one  in  increase  in 
poultry.  Many  more  instances  of  where  we  lead  might  be  mentioned 
but  these  will  suffice  to  show  the  upward  trend  in  production. 

Our  farming  sj-stem  is  improving.  Cotton  is  fast  losing  its  place 
of  supremacy  on  our  farms.  Improved  methods  of  farming  are 
being   introduccnl   and   new   enterprises   such   as   stock   and   poultry 


72       Chesterfield   Couxty  :   Economic  and   Social 

raising,  trudging  and  fruit  growing  are  being  adopted.     Eacli  j-ear 
the  teudencj^  is  towards  a  more  diversified  and  substantial  plan. 

Cooperation 

The  fact  that  we  are  becoming  more  and  more  inclined  towards 
cooperatioQ  in  matters  of  common  interest  shows  a  progressive  spirit 
in  our  county. 

The  many  organizations  of  folks  interested  in  the  same  industry 
or  movement  found  in  the  county  are  forms  of  cooperation.  Each 
member  of  such  an  organization  gets  the  benefit  of  every  other 
member's  experience  through  their  regular  meetings  and  discussions. 
This  spirit  of  mutual  helpfulness  is  the  thing  that  is  making  a 
success  of  various  new  industries  such  as  poultry  raising  and  fruit 
growing  and  is  a  big  factor  in  Chesterfield  County's  progress. 

The  latest  evidence  of  our  cooperative  spirit  is  the  way  in  which, 
within  the  last  few  months,  Chesterfield  joined  hands  with  the 
other  counties  in  the  development  of  the  South  Carolina  Cotton 
Growers  Cooperative  Marketing  Association.  This  is  our  first  venture 
on  a  large  scale  in  cooperative  marketing ;  therefore,  we  know  as 
yet  very  little  from  practical  experience  about  this  form  of  market- 
ing. The  chief  reason  for  this  is  the  fact  that  our  main  crops  for 
the  market,  cotton  and  tobacco,  are  so  widely  grown  that  it  is 
necessary  for  the  producers  of  the  entire  state  to  organize  and  pool 
their  products  in  order  to  benefit  materially  from  cooperative  selling. 
The  fact  that  our  farmers  did  join  whole-heartedly  w'ith  such  an 
organization  when  it  was  launched  is  very  gratifying. 

In  order  to  put  this  state-wide  organization  across  successfully 
and  to  make  sure  of  having  at  least  400,000  bales  of  cotton  to  sell 
cooperatively,  each  county  was  assigned  a  quota  of  approximately 
one-fourth  of  the  1920  production.  Chesterfield  produced  34,000  bales 
in  1020;  therefore  her  quota  was  8,500  bales.  The  amount  actually 
pledged  to  date  is  10,178  bales,  or  about  20  per  cent  over  her  quota. 
This  represents  the  pledges  of  199  of  our  leading  farmers.  The 
acceptance  of  this  form  of  marketing  by  the  producers  of  our  most 
important  crop  is  a  very  decided  step  forward.  It  shows  that  our 
farmers  are  realizing  that  the  theory  of  the  farmer's  independence 
and  "every  man  for  himself  and  the  devil  take  the  hindermost"  is 
iibsolntciy  wrong. 

Chesterfield  County  Fair 

The  County  Fair  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Chesterfield 
County  Fair  As.sociation  furnishes  each  year  an  opi)ortunity  for  the 
folks  of  the  county  to  spend  pleasantly  and  profitably  a  few  days  of 
relaxation  after  the  strenuous  harvest  season.     It  affords  an  oppor- 


Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social       73 

tunity  for  the  people  of  different  sections  to  meet  and  wliile  enjoying 
tlie  amusement  and  social  features  to  see  wliat  otiiers  are  doinj;  and 
receive  profitable  suggestions. 

Besides  tlie  material  benefits  that  the  fair  furnishes  by  promoting 
friendly  rivalry  among  the  farmers  and  by  jiroviding  a  pla^e  for 
disseminating  ideas  it  is  a  splendid  means  of  promoting  the  s])irit 
of  fellowship  among  the  people  of  the  county.  A  connnon  ground 
is  afforded  on  wliich  all  classes  may  meet  and  e.vchange  ideas  and 
come  to  a  better  understanding  of  each  other. 

Our  Ck>unty  Fair  Association  has  put  forth  earnest  effort  in  behalf 
of  our  fair  each  year.  That,  without  exception,  the  fair  has  been 
a  success  every  j'ear  is  due  to  the  work  of  its  officers  and  the 
cooperation  of  tlie  people  as  a  whole. 

Regarding  the  organization  and  worlv  of  tlie  Fair  Association  Mr. 
C.  L.  Ilunley  of  Chestertield  has  submitted  these  facts : 

"Mainly  thru  the  efforts  of  L.  II.  Trotti,  Mayor  of  Chesterfield, 
the  Chesterfield  County  Fair  Association  was  organized  in  the  early 
autumn  of  1913.  The  first  officers  were,  L.  II.  Trotti,  President; 
W.  J.  Tiller,  Vice-President;  C.  L.  Ilunley,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 
The  first  County  Fair  was  held  in  November  1913  and  was  a  fine 
exhibition  of  the  County's  I'esources.  Every  November  thereafter 
the  Chesterfield  County  Fair  has  been  held  and  is  looked  forward  to 
as  an  annual  county  event. 

"The  Fair  Association  is  a  stock  company  with  a  capital  stock  of 
five  thousand  dollars.  The  Association  owns  12  acres  of  valuable 
land  in  the  western  suburbs  of  Chesterfield  along-side  the  railroad 
track.  There  are  ample  buildings  to  take  care  of  the  exhibits,  which 
are  of  varietl  character  every  year. 

"The  present  officers  of  the  Fair  Association  are,  L.  H.  Trotti, 
President ;  J.  A.  Welsh,  Vice-President ;  W.  P.  Odom,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer — these  three,  together  with  I'arnell  Meehan  and  J.  W. 
Hanna,  form  the  Executive  Committe  which  has  complete  charge  of 
the  fair.  The  annual  exhibition  will  again  be  staged  in  November 
of  this  year." 

Organization  of  Poultry  Raisers 

The  adoption  of  poultry  raising  as  an  industry  in  our  county  is 
another  detour  from  the  beaten  patli  of  tlie  past.  For  several  years 
a  few  of  our  citizens  have  shown  an  interest  in  poultry  rai.sing, 
but  only  within  the  last  few  months  has  this  interest  so  increased  as 
to  materialize  in  a  club  for  the  promotion  of  the  enterprise.  Mr. 
C.  L.  Ilunley  gives  us  the  following  regarding  this  club: 

"The  Chesterfield  County  Poultry  Club  was  organ ize<l  in  December 
of  1921  and   is  one  of  tlie  livest   organizations   in    South   Carolina. 


74       Chesterfield  County:  Economic  and   Social 

There  iire  OG  paid  members  'of  this  club  and  banquets  are  held 
monthly. 

"Great  preparations  are  being  made  by  this  Poultry  Club  for  their 
annual  exhibition  which  will  be  held  in  connection  with  the  Chester- 
field County  Fair  this  year.  Five  hundred  dollars  are  being  offered 
in  prizes  for  champion  birds. 

"The  officers  of  the  Chesterfield  County  Poultry  Club  are,  D.  "W. 
Knight,  Jr.,  President;  Parnell  Meehan,  Vice-President;  Gratton 
McFarlin,  Secretary;  J.  Andy  Teal,  Treasurer." 

Fruit  Growing 

One  of  the  most  promising  and  widely  adopted  new  enterprises  of 
our  county  is  fruit  growing.  The  region  which  has  lately  been 
named  the  Carolina  Fruit  Hills  extends  diagonally  across 
the  county.  Oidy  within  the  last  few  years  has  fruit  growing  been 
undertaken  on  a  commercial  basis.  In  the  vicinity  of  McBee  peach 
growing  has  taken  the  strongest  foothold.  Good  sized  orchards  are 
also  found  near  Cheraw,  Pageland,  and  Ruby. 

Mr.  J.  D.  Sexton  furnishes  us  the  following  article  regarding  this 
industry  in  the  McBee  vicinity  and  in  the  county  as  a  whole: 

"Fruit  growing  in  Chesterfield  County  has  been  a  possibility  more 
or  less  considered  for  years.  To  any  thoughtful  person  looking  over 
the  lands  around  McBee,  there  has  always  come  visions  of  mile  after 
mile  of  peach  trees,  acres  of  vineyards  interspersed  here  and  there 
with  fields  of  dewberries.  The  topography  of  this  country  naturally 
.-suggests  such  a  development.  McBee  is  in  the  heart  of  the  Sand 
Hill  section  now  more  aptly  named  the  Fruit  Hill  Section  of  South 
Carolina.  The  McBee  Ridge  runs  in  a  northwesterly  direction  form- 
ing a  natural  watershed  between  Black  Creek  and  Lynches  River 
with  their  many  tributaries.  Such  a  lay  of  the  land  affords  air 
drainage  par  excellence;  air  drainage,  that  constant  settling  from 
the  hills  to  the  lowlands  of  moist  air  whicli  protects  the  higher  lands 
from  early  and  late  frosts.  So  ample  is  this  air  drainage  on  the 
McBee  Ridge  that  for  more  than  a  generation,  long  before  commercial 
orchards  were  ever  dreamed  of,  there  has  never  been  a  total  loss 
here  of  fruit  i)i  home  orchards.  This  condition  presented  to  the 
minds  of  some  of  the  more  progressive  fanners  the  advantages  of 
connnercial  fruit  growing.  Then  too  the  soil,  light  and  sandy  tho 
it  is  on  the  higher  ground,  is  very  responsive  to  care  and  fertilizer, 
.so  much  so  that  young  fruit  trees  and  vines  grow  off  quickly  and 
vigorously,  soon  producing  fruit  of  four  striking  characteristics; 
namely,  uniform  size — not  too  big  or  too  little — high  color,  delicious 
flavor,  and   splendid  keei)lng  (pialities.     These  four  qualities  are  of 


CHESTERriELD    CoUNTY  :     ECONOMIC    AND     SOCIAL  75 

prime  inujortance  in  growing;  fruit;  for  inarki't.  With  all  these 
advantages  it  is  not  at  all  remarkable  that  peach  orchards  should 
dot  the  landscape  as  they  now  do  around  McBee. 

"To  Mr.  H.  R.  McLeod  is  due  the  honor  of  establishing^  the  first 
commercial  orchard  of  any  conse<iuencc.  Mr.  McLeod's  first  attempt 
was  a  block  of  1000  trees  set  in  191(!  which  i)roduce<l  in  its  first 
bearing  year  $1000  wortli  of  fruit,  and  in  its  second  bearing  year 
more  than  $4000  worth.  AVithin  the  past  year  the  peach  industry 
has  grown  to  larger  projmrtions.  A  number  of  the  leading  citizens 
now  have  young  orchards  of  hundred  acre  blocks.  The  Seaboard 
Air  Line  has  actively  contributed  to  the  development  of  this  industry 
and  the  leaders  of  the  McBee  comm unity  have  talked  peaches, 
dreamed  peaches  and  livetl  peaches  until  this  little  town  within  a 
fev/  years  can  claim  the  honor  of  being  tlio  peach  city  of  the  Palmetto 
State.     Still  there  is  room  here  for  more  orchards  and  more  people. 

"Grape  growing,  dewberry  culture,  also  cantaloupe  and  water- 
melon production  are  otiier  jxxssibilities  of  the  section  which  are 
rapidly  coming  to  the  front.  Fruit  growing  has  come  to  stay,  and 
it  is  the  writer's  prediction  that  within  the  span  of  only  a  few  short 
years,  the  Sand  Hills  of  Chesterfield  will  become  a  key-stone  in 
the  State's  arch  of  agricultural  importance." 

Chesterfield  County  Highways 

Within  the  last  few  years  a  road  building  movement  of  consider- 
able magnitude  has  been  inaugurated  in  this  county.  In  our  opinion 
this  work  will  result  in  untold  benefit  to  everybody  concerned.  Good 
roads  will  do  much  towards  making  good  times. 

Mr.  C.  L.  Hunley  explains  our  road  building  prixgram  in  the  account 
here  given : 

"Improved  roads  for  Chesterfield  County  can  be  dated  from  the 
beginning  of  the  year  1021.  It  was  then  that  the  old  system  of  a 
Supervisor  was  abolished  and  a  County  Commission  was  appointed, 
they  in  turn  electing  a  County  Highway  Engineer.  Mr.  T.  E.  Mulloy 
was  elected  to  this  position, 

"At  the  first,  provision  was  made  by  Engineer  Mulloy  for  a  com- 
plete and  comprehensive  survey  of  all  the  main  arteries  of  travel. 
These  were:  1.  From  Cheraw,  thru  Chesterfield,  Ruby,  Mt.  Croghan, 
Pageland,  and  to  Lancaster  County  line,  this  being  the  direct  route 
to  Lancaster,  S.  C.  This  highway  is  now  a  part  of  the  Calhoun 
Highway.  2.  From  Cheraw,  thru  Patrick  and  McBee  to  the  Kershaw 
County  line,  this  being  on  the  direct  route  to  Camden  and  Columbia 
and  is  a  part  of  the  Washington-Jacksonville  route  and  has  been  offi- 
cially named  the  Jefferson  Davis  Highway.  3.  From  Society  Hill,  thru 
Cheraw  to  the  North  Carolina  line  on  the  direct  route  to  Wadesboro, 


76       Chesterfield  County  :   Economic  and   Social 

N.  C.  4.  From  Chesterfield  to  the  North  Carolina  line,  this  being 
the  direct  route  to  Wadesboro,  N.  C.  5.  From  MeBeo,  thru  Jefferson 
and  Pageland  to  the  North  Carolina  line,  this  being  on  the  direct 
route  to  Monroe  and  Charlotte,  N.  C.  These  roads,  or  nearly  all  of 
them,  have  been  adopted  into  the  State  Highway  System. 

"Having  the  main  roads  to  be  improved,  the  kind  of  construction 
next  received  attention.  It  was  decided  that  gravel  roads  would  be 
constructed  as  far  as  possible.  Where  gravel  was  not  obtainable 
then  top  soil  or  sand-clay  roads  would  be  built. 

"Paying  for  the  work  as  it  progressed  was  tlie  financial  policy  that 
was  adopted.  The  ordinary  county  road  levy  was  fixed  at  four  mills 
and  one-half  of  this  was  set  aside  for  permanent  roads.  Then  two 
additional  mills  were  levied  under  the  State  Highway  Act  for  per- 
manent roads.  In  addition  all  money  received  from  automobile 
license  fees  were  set  aside  for  the  permanent  road  program. 

"To  date  the  four  separate  county  forces  under  direction  of  Mr. 
Mulloy  have  built  about  thirty-five  miles  of  permanent  roads  of 
a  first  class  type.  The  Cheraw-Chesterfield  section  of  the  Calhoun 
Highway  is  complete,  behig  graded  and  graveled  thruout  and  is  now 
in  fine  shape  and  is  second  to  no  road  that  is  not  of  the  hard 
surface  type.  About  ten  miles  of  the  Calhoun  Highway  west  of 
Chesterfield  has  been  completed ;  this  section  is  a  top  soil  road  but 
is  in  splendid  condition.  About  five  miles  of  the  Pageland- Jefferson 
road  has  been  completed,  this  being  a  top  soil  road.  About  eight 
miles  of  the  Cheraw-McBee  section  of  the  Washington-Jacksonville 
(Jefferson  Davis  Highway)  is  now  completed,  five  miles  of  this 
being  of  gravel  surface,  'the  balance  of  sand-clay. 

"Engineer  Mulloy  has  not  tried  to  build  highways  too  fast ;  he  is 
after  permanent  roads  and  is  willing  to  make  haste  slowly.  His 
forces  are  working  smoothly  and  on  a  definite  program.  It  is 
planned  that  by  midsummer  1023  all  the  main  arteries  of  travel  of 
the  county  will  have  been  constructed.  Then  he  will  broaden  the 
program  and  commence  the  construction  of  the  lateral  roads  of  the 
county.  For  years  Chesterfield  County  spent  large  sums  of  money 
on  her  roads  but  to  no  avail— all  went  to  patch  up  bad  spots  in  bad 
roads.  But  now  she  has  a  definite  job  outlined  and  steady  progress 
is  being  made  towards  its  completion.  For  every  dollar  that  is 
spent  now  real  constructive  values  of  a  jiormanent  nature  are 
obtained." 

Pageland 

This  town  and  the  .surrounding  territory  is  known  for  its  rapid 
growth  and  general  progressiveness.  The  article  below  was  written 
by  Mr.  C.  :M.  Tucker  and  Dr.  J.  D.  Colson. 


Chesterfield  Cointy:  Economic  and   Social       77 

"Pagelaiul  is  one  of  the  Ix'st  towns  of  its  size  in  the  state.  It  is 
located  in  the  Pie<lmont  section,  beinj,'  in  the  upper  part  of  Cliester- 
field  County,  and  is  45  miles  from  Cliarlotte,  N.  C,  20  miles  from 
Monroe,  N.  C,  35  miles  from  Cheraw,  20  miles  from  Chesterfield, 
14  miles  from  Ruby,  10  miles  from  Mt.  Croghan,  9  miles  from  Jeffer- 
son, 27  miles  from  Kershaw,  and  2G  miles  from  Lancaster.  High, 
dry,  and  healthy,  it  stands  near  the  highest  point  in  the  county, 
bidding  defiance  to  mosquitoes,  malaria,  and  other  low  country 
handicaps.  It  is  on  a  ridge  where  the  sand  of  the  low  country  and 
the  clay  of  the  up  country  come  togetlier,  and  is  well  watere<l  but 
ideally  drained.  The  winters  are  not  severe,  and  the  summer  breeze 
night  and  day  is  the  boon  of  the  town  and  the  envy  of  others  less 
favoreil.  Mosquito  nets  are  unknown,  and  malaria  is  a  stranger.  No 
finer  climate  can  be  found,  and  those  who  seek  health,  comfort,  and 
happiness  w'ill  do  well  to  see  this  town  first. 

"The  population  in  1020,  as  given  in  the  census  report,  was  521. 
The  town  is  governe<l  by  a  mayor,  four  wardens,  one  policeman,  and 
an  active  Board  of  Health.  It  is  laid  off  with  broad  streets  and 
sidewalks,  and  is  destined  to  be  a  place  of  much  beauty  and  attrac- 
tion. 

"Pageland  is  rapidly  becoming  a  hub  from  which  splendid  high- 
ways radiate.  It  is  on  the  Calhoun  Highway  running  east  and  west, 
and  also  on  a  highway  running  north  and  south  connecting  Monroe, 
N.  C,  and  Charlotte,  N.  C,  with  the  various  towns  south.  These 
four  main  roads  out  branch  off  into  a  net-work  of  roads  as  the 
distance  increases,  thus  giving  the  town  an  enviable  position  with 
respect  to  roads.  The  Chesterfield  and  Lancaster  Railway  serves 
the  town,  and  makes  north  and  south  connections  with  the  Seaboard 
Air  Line  Railway  at  Cheraw. 

"The  Pageland  High  School  has  an  enrollment  of  425  pupils,  one 
principal  and  twelve  teachers.  There  are  class  rooms  for  every 
grade,  and  a  large  auditorium  and  stage  where  entertainments  are 
given  by  local  and  foreign  talent, 'and  public  meetings  ax'e  held.  The 
school  occupies  about  two  acres  fronting  on  the  main  street  and  the 
building  is  a  credit  to  any  town  of  this  size.  The  value  of  the  school 
property  is  about  $40,000,  and  the  total  taxable  property  of  the 
district  is  $206,000. 

"Listed  below  are  business  enterprises  and  other  organizations  that 
show  the  remarkable  development  of  the  town,  as  well  as  its  pos- 
sibilities : 

"The  Pageland  Journal  is  a  well  supported  weekly  paper 
giving  local  and  general  news.  In  connection  with  it  is  a 
well  equipped  job  office. 


78       Chesterfield   County:  Economic  and  Social 

"The  local  telephone  company  gives  local  and  long  dis- 
tance service  to  its  patrons.  Besides  many  local  lines  to 
nearby  centrals,  it  has  Bell  connections  with  Camden,  and 
independent  lines  to  Monroe,  Mt.  Croghan,  liuby  and 
Chesterfield. 

"An  ice  plant  of  six  tons  capacity  furnishes  ice  for  all 
local  needs  and  some  for  shipping. 

"Another  asset  is  a  bottling  plant  which  serves  its  ter- 
ritory by  truck. 

"A  novelty  vp^orks  makes  whateAer  is  required. 

"Two  insurance  and  real  estate  agencies  look  out  for  the 
insurance  and  real  estate  of  the  town  and  community. 

"A  large  modern  ginning  plant  with  the  latest  improved 
machinery  gins  about  five  thousand  l:>ales  of  cotton  annually, 
and  handles  seed,  meal,  hulls,  wood,  and  coal. 

"The  Bank  of  Pageland  with  a  capital  of  $50,000  and 
resources  of  more  than  half  a  million  dollars  serves  the 
merchants,  manufacturers,  and  farmers  in  a  financial  way. 

"A  Building  and  Loan  Association  aids  in  Iniilding  new 
homes  and  paying  for  old  ones.  The  third  series  has  just 
been  started. 

"There  are  a  number  of  retail  merchants,  one  depart- 
ment ?tore.  one  wholesale  grocery,  two  drug  stores,  one 
meat  market,  four  garages,  t\v^o  blacksmith  shops,  five 
cotton  buyers,  two  physicians,  no  lawyers,  four  churches 
and  five  ministers;  also  the  following  fraternal  or  social 
organizations :  Masons,  Juniors,  Woodmen,  American 
Legion,  and  dependent  or  kindred  societies. 

"There  is  one  dairy  which  supplies  milk,  butter  and  ice 
cream. 

"Three  cotton  warehouses  provide  storage  capacity  for 
the  benefit  of  the  farmers. 

"A  sweet  potato  curing  house  is  to  be  built  soon. 

"Several  large  trucks  do  public  hauling,  and  aid  the 
farmers  in  marketing  their  cotton  and  other  products. 
Melons  and  cantaloupes,  which  bring  in  money  at  a  much 
needed  time,  are  marketed  in  quantities. 

"Two  of  the  best  hotels  in  the  South  acconmiodate  those 
who  come  and  go.  Pageland's  fame  as  a  place  to  get  good 
things  to  eat  has  spread  over  this  and  adjoining  states. 
Many  traveling  salesmen  drive  miles  fartlier  in  order  to 
reach  Pageland  for  the  night. 
"The  town  lies  in  the  heart  of  a  fine  agricultural  section.  The 
principle  products  are  cotton,  for  whidi  there  is  a  domaiul  for  tliat 


Chesterfield  CouNTr:  Economic  and  Social        79 

grown  ill  this  section  because  of  the  length  and  sniootlmess  of  its 
staple,  corn,  oats,  niolons.  cnntaloupos.  peas,  and  potatoes.  The 
growing  of  peanuts  is  being  started  on  a  large  scale.  Growing 
peaches  for  the  market  is  beginning,  about  eighty  acres  having  been 
set  in  young  trees  recently. 

"A  live  and  active  Board  of  Trade,  coinpose<l  of  nearly  two 
hundred  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  town  and  community,  is  con- 
stantly on  the  alert,  seeking  to  bring  in  new  enterprises,  to  secure 
better  roads,  to  assist  the  bu.'-iness  nion  and  the  farmers  in  marketing 
their  pnxlucts  to  advantage,  and  to  make  this  a  bigger,  better,  and 
more  enterprising  community.  Pageland  is  known  as  a  wide  awake, 
progressive  town." 

Town  of  Chesterfield 

Regarding  the  recent  progress  of  Chesterfield  town  and  community, 
Mr.  Paul  II.  riearn  has  written  the  following  account : 

"The  town  of  Chesterfield  is  located  a  little  to  the  northeast  of  the 
center  of  the  county  by  the  same  name,  of  which  it  is  the  county 
seat.  It  is  reached  by  the  Chesterfield  &  Lancaster  Railroad,  a 
branch  of  the  Seaboard,  and  by  the  Cnlhoun  Highway. 

"The  population  of  the  town  is  slightly  under  1,000,  but  Court- 
house Township,  in  which  it  is  located,  has  a  population,  according 
to  the  census  of  1920,  of  0,379,  composed  almost  altogether  of  small, 
independent  farmers,  with  a  very  small  proportion  of  negroes.  Many 
of  the  people  are  descndants  of  the  original  Scotch  and  Irish  settlers, 
the  town  being  little  affected  by  present-day  immigration.  This 
thickly  settled  territoi-y  is  ideally  spread  around  the  town,  giving  a 
fine  support  to  its  mercantile  establishments.  There  is  also  a  good 
trade  here  from  the  entire  county,  as  all  its  citizens  have  occa.sion 
to  visit  the  county  seat  at  intervals. 

"The  Chesterfield  High  School  has  an  enviable  standing  among 
the  educational  institutions  of  the  state. 

"Chesterfield  has  an  altitude  of  over  700  feet  and  is  located  on  a 
long  ridge  running  in  a  general  easterly  and  westerly  direction, 
which  for  generations  was  known  as  'Healthy  Ridge.'  The  drainage 
is  perfect,  with  a  slope  on  the  north  to  Thompson's  Creek  and  on 
the  south  to  Indian  Creek.  The  climate  is  almost  ideal,  with  an 
annual  mean  temperature  of  about  60°  Fahrenheit.  A  straight  line 
from  Southern  Pines,  N.  C,  to  Camden,  S.  C,  will  pass  thru  Chester- 
field, which  enjoys  the  same  salubrious  winter  climate  as  these 
famous  health  and  pleasure  resorts. 

"Even  m  the  early  days  this  locality  was  not  atifected  by  epidemics 
of  typhoid  fever  and  other  such  diseases. 

"The  chief  prtxluct  of  the  farmers  immetliately  adjacent  to  Chester- 
field is  cotton,  tlio  the  soil  and  cliinate  are  adapted  to  practically 


80       Chesterfield  County:  Economic  and   Social 

every  farm,  truck  and  fruit  crop  save  only  those  limited  to  tropical 
climates.  An  extra  good  staple  of  cotton  is  produced  here,  making 
of  Chesterfield  a  fine  market,  where  top-prices  pre^'ail.  For  the 
1921-1922  season  about  12,000  bales  were  sold  here,  much  cotton 
coming  from  North  Carolina  towns,  attracted  by  better  prices. 

"In  spite  of  several  disastrous  fires,  Chesterfield  has  made  great 
progress  during  the  past  ten  years.  Many  new  store  buildings  have 
been  erected  and  all  are  occupied  by  prospering  firms.  There  are 
two  prosperous  banks,  one  of  which  increased  its  deposits  from  1914 
to  1921  three  hundred  per  cent,  while  the  other  in  the  same  period 
increased  over  six  hundred  per  cent. 

"A  thoroly  modern  waterworks  and  t^ewerage  system  lias  been 
installed.  The  town  has  al.so  installed  a  municipally-owned  lighting 
plant  that  is  up-to-date  and  thoroly  adequate. 

"An  ice  plant  of  twelve-ton  capacity  is  to  date  the  latest  industrial 
addition  to  the  town." 


IX. 

CHESTERFIELD  COUNTY.  PROBLEMS 


IsoM  Teal. 


If  oue  should  visit  a  liydro-electric  power  plaut  located  at  the 
fall  line  on  a  larj^e  river,  he  would  be  impressed  by  the  enormous 
size  and  the  intricate  complexities  of  the  wonderfully  constructed 
and  highly  scientific  machinery  found  there.  The  rush  of  the  water 
through  massive  turbines,  the  whirring  of  tremendous  wheels,  the 
swishing  of  belts,  all  besi)eak  power.  From  thousands  of  little  creeks 
and  sti-eams  draining  millions  of  acres  of  land,  water  has  flowed  to 
the  river,  which  increasing  in  size  as  it  goes,  finally  at  the  falls  has 
gained  such  volume  and  force  that  it  turns  the  great  water  wheels  of 
the  power  plant  with  ease. 

In  a  distant  city  the  electricity  so  generated  is  utilized  to  run 
great  factories  and  furnish  illumination  for  numberless  houses  and 
streets.  It  propels  clanging  street  cars,  runs  heavy  machines,  and 
furnishes  heat  for  cooking  and  ironing,  as  well  as  power  for  ice 
machines  and  fans. 

Between  the  thundering  power  producing  plant  on  the  river  and 
the  humming  power  using  devices  in  the  city,  there  is  a  connecting 
link.  Small  insignificant  wires  connect  the  two.  These  copper 
strands  add  no  positive  qualities  of  their  own.  Rarely  seen  and 
never  heard,  they  merely  carry  energy  from  the  place  where  it  is 
found  to  the  place  where  it  is  needed.  But  it  is  energy  that,  properly 
directed,  is  capable  of  doing  great  work,  but  also,  if  mishandled,  in- 
calculable damage. 

The  authors  of  this  booklet  hope  that  it  will  serve  as  transmission 
lines.  In  the  laboratories  and  libraries  of  the  University  are  found 
thousands  of  pamphlets,  books,  charts,  reports,  and  statistical  tables. 
This  literature  represents  the  work  of  numerous  governmental 
institutions,  bureaus,  departments,  and  committees,  as  well  as  many 
independent  enterprises.  To  divert  a  small  portion  of  this  knowledge 
to  the  solution  of  our  own  county  i)roblems  has  been  our  aim. 

Education 

The  biggest  problem  confronting  this  county  today  is  that  of 
educating  her  people.  In  1920  18.1%  of  the  population  of  South 
Carolina  was  illiterate.     Louisiana  was  the  only  state  in  the  Union 


82       Chesterfield  County:  Economic  and   Social 

th;it  had  a  greater  percentage.  In  the  state  Chesterfield  ranked 
24th  in  total  illiteracy,  with  a  percentage  of  19.1 ;  46th  in  native 
white  illiterates  over  ten  years  of  age,  with  a  percentage  of  13.3 ; 
and  46th  in  native  white  illiterate  voters,  the  percentage  being  18. 
The  situation,  bluntly  stated,  is  this:  considering  the  whole  popula- 
tion, South  Carolina  is  next  to  the  most  ignorant  State  in  the  nation ; 
and,  taking  into  account  only  the  native  born  white  people,  Chester- 
field is  the  most  ignorant  county  in  the  State.  Chesterfield  has  a 
larger  part  of  its  white  voters  who  are  unable  to  read  or  write  their 
own  names  than  any  other  county  in  South  Carolina. 

We  hear  a  great  deal  now-a-days  aboiit  the  advantages  of  a  democ- 
racy. The  good  sense  of  all  the  people  expressing  itself  at  the 
polls  is  supposed  to  insure  the  election  of  the  best  officers  and  the 
adoption  of  the  wisest  governmental  policies.  But  when  the  white 
voters  of  Chesterfield  County  went  to  the  polls  in  1920,  there  were 
18  out  of  every  hundred  who  could  not  read  the  names  printed  on 
the  ballot.  Whatever  preferences  these  unfortunates  may  have  had 
in  regard  to  the  candidates,  their  choice  was  necessarily  based  on 
what  they  had  heard.  Their  only  understanding  of  the  issues  of  the 
campaign  was  got  from  idle  rumors  and  chance  discussions.  Once 
having  selected  their  candidates,  they  voted,  but  they  dropped  into 
the  box  ballots  that  had  to  be  marked  by  others,  and  these  others 
were  often  strangers.  It  must  be  acknowledged  that  such  a  state 
of  affairs  is  humiliating  to  the  illiterates.  What  is  worse  is  the 
humiliation  of  the  county  on  account  of  its  backwardness  in  many 
respects  that  can  be  attributed  directly  to  the  sheer  ignorance  of 
18%  of  its  white  voters.  Illiteracy  is  a  danger  to  good  government ; 
it  is  a  curse  to  those  affilicted  by  it;  and  it  is  the  most  expensive 
condition  imaginalde. 

Nearly  everyone  professes  to  believe  in  the  desirability  of  e(^luca- 
tion  because  of  the  general  cultui-al  effects  and  satisfaction  accruing 
to  those  getting  it.  But  there  are  some  who  question  its  money  value. 
In  times  of  financial  stress  there  is  always  a  hue  and  cry  for  lower 
taxes,  and  a  misguidetl  few  would  even  curtail  the  school  appro 
priations.  For  the  benefit  of  those  actuated  by  sordid  monetary 
motives  the  following  extracts  are  quoted  from  a  pamphlet  entitled 
"Does  It  Pay?"  issued  by  the  South  Carolina  Council  of  Defense 
in  1918. 

"TIk?  average  jirdductive  capacity  of  (lie  inhabitants  of  Massa- 
chusetts in  1910  was  .$460  per  year;  for  tlie  United  States  as  a  wliole 
$.'{32;  and  for  South  Carolina,  $171. 

"Now  the  average  schooling  that  in  1910  liad  l)e('n  given  to  the 
citizens  of  Massjichusetts  was  7.4  years;  that  of  tlie  United  States 


Chesterfield   County  :   P]conomic  and   Social       83 

as  a  whole,  5.23  years;  while  that  of  South  Carolina  was  only  .'5.18 
years. 

"In  1{)10  Mas.sachu.setts  spent  .$10,013,000  for  school  purposes,  or 
$86.08  per  pupil  in  average  daily  attendance.  The  United  States 
in  1910  spent  $.''.50,272,000  for  education,  or  $27.85  per  pupil  in 
average  daily  attendance.  Durin;;  the  same  year  South  Caroliua 
spent  $1,687,000  for  school  i)urposes,  or  ^C>.9?,  per  pupil  in  average 
daily  attendance. 

"It  would,  of  course,  be  very  unfair  to  attribute  all  this  difference 
in  productive  capacity  to  differences  in  the  educational  systems  of 
the  several  states.  The  large  capital  on  hand,  the  great  trading 
centers  and  the  numerous  factories  already  established  in  Massa- 
chusetts give  that  state  an  advantage.  Furthermore,  the  effect  of 
climate,  and  many  other  factors  must  be  considered  before  the  exact 
share  played  by  education  could  be  determined.  In  this  and  in  all 
other  comparative  studies  of  peoples,  it  must  be  recognized  that 
absolutely  accurate  estimates  of  the  part  played  by  education  in 
economic  development  are  not  possible.  Yet  the  unbiased  observer 
must  recognize  that  education  is  a  controlling  factor  when  he  sees 
that  among  all  varieties  of  races,  and  accompanied  by  all  kinds  and 
conditions  of  climate,  natural  resources,  geographical  location, 
economic  and  social  environment,  in  every  case  educated  people 
produce  much  and  amass  wealth,  while  uneducated  people  under  the 
same  conditions  produce  little  and  save  less." 

The  same  pamphlet  asserts  that  "Every  day  spent  in^  .school  pays 
the  child  nine  dollars.  Here  is  the  proof.  Uneducated  laborers 
earn  on  the  average  $500  per  year  for  forty  years,  a  total  of  $20,000. 
High  school  graduates  earn  on  the  average  $1,000  per  year  for  forty 
years,  a  total  of  $40,000.  This  education  required  twelve  years  of 
school  of  180  days  each,  a  total  of  2.100  days  in  school.  If  2,160 
days  at  school  add  $20,000  to  the  income  for  life,  then  each  day  at 
school  adds  $9.02.  The  child  that  stays  out  of  school  to  earn  less 
than  $9.00  a  day  is  losing  money,  not  making  it." 

From  this  it  can  be  seen  that  our  schools  are  really  wealth  pro- 
ducing factories,  with  the  pupils  acting  as  workers  and  each  child 
drawing  a  wage  of  $9.02  a  day.  It  is  true  that  the  pay  is  deferred 
until  later  on  in  life,  but  the  main  point  is  that  they  inevitably  get 
it.  There  are  few  children  who  can  afford  to  turn  down  such  well 
paying  employment. 

It  is  needless  to  argue  further  the  case  for  etlucation.  "We  know 
that  Chesterfield  County,  altlio  making  rapid  progress  in  this  regard, 
has  not  yet  reached  a  satisfactory  stage  in  her  educational  advance- 
ment. To  obtain  this  end  there  are  no  insurmountable  obstacles. 
Money,  teachers,  and  children  are  the  requisities,  and  all  these  can 


84       Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social 

be  had.  The  compulsory  attendance  law,  if  enfoi'ced,  will  insure 
the  pupils.  State  aid  and  local  taxes  can  be  made  to  supply  what- 
ever amount  of  money  the  people  demand.  When  the  mony  is  sup- 
plied teachers  can  be  recruited  without  end.  What  is  really  needed 
is  an  awakened  public  consciousness  of  the  necessity  for  more  and 
better  schools. 

Economic  Shortcomings 

According  to  figures  based  on  the  1920  report  of  the  State  Tax 
Commission,  Chesterfield  ranks  2Sth  among  the  counties  in  total 
wealth.  The  same  authority  places  our  per  capita  wealth  at  $436, 
which  gives  a  place  of  44th  in  the  State.  Richland,  coming  first, 
has  a  per  capita  wealth  of  $891.  In  total  farm  wealth  this  county 
ranks  19th.  In  the  percentage  increase  in  farm  wealth  from  1910 
to  1920  Chesterfield,  by  increasing  her  farm  wealth  228.7%  in  the 
ten  years,  was  outdone  in  this  particular  by  only  three  other  coun- 
ties. 

Here  we  have  facts  showing  that  the  wealth  of  the  county,  espe- 
cially farm  wealth,  has  been  greatly  increased  in  the  past  decade. 
But  closer  study  will  reveal  that,  in  spite  of  this  considerable 
gain,  this  is  still  a  relatively  poor  county.  There  are  only  two  other 
counties  in  the  State  that  have  less  wealth  per  person  than  Ches- 
terfield. 

Such  being  the  case,  it  would  seem  logical  to  suppose  that  the 
developments  of  which  the  county  will  be  capable  of  making  in  the 
near  future  will  be  strictly  limited  in  extent.  For  how  can  good 
roads  be  built,  expensive  school  houses  erected,  and  fine  farms 
equipped  with  modern  machinery  and  appliances,  if  the  people 
haven't  the  money  to  pay  for  such  improvements?  The  answer  to 
the  question  is  that  our  prosperity  is  dependent  almost  entirely  on 
agriculture.  From  1910  to  1920  the  total  farm  wealth  of  this  county 
increased  228.7%,  which  was  much  greater  than  the  average  for  the 
state.  Now  if  such  a  betterment  was  brought  about  by  the  hap- 
hazard methods  employed  by  the  average  farmer,  the  possibilities  of 
expansion  are  limitless  if  modern,  scientific  principles  be  applied. 
The  two  things  that  are  calculated  to  be  most  profitable,  and  are 
urgently  recoiumondod  for  adoption,  are  diversification  of  crops  and 
cooperative  marketing. 

Diversification  of  Crops 

In  condemning  the  practice  of  devoting  the  most  of  our  land  and 
efforts  to  the  gi'owing  of  cotton,  we  are  not  unmindful  of  the  good 
points  of  such  a  plan.  Where  one  crop  is  specialized  in,  it  is  possi- 
ble, in  gCK)d  years,  to  make  extraordinary  profits.     Also,  a  thorough 


Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social       85 

knowledge  is  ohtainod  of  (he  plnnt  and  its  iicculiaritios.  A  smallei* 
equipniont  of  machinery  is  required.  Cotton  is  taiiRihle  and  hetter 
adapted  as  a  hasis  for  tlie  extension  of  credit  by  merchants  and 
bankers.  A  dishonest  tenant  might  dispose  of  eggs,  grain,  pork,  or 
truck  without  the  knowledge  of  his  creditor,  but  the  bales  of  cotton 
are  recorded  by  the  owners  as  they  are  ginned. 

But  in  spite  of  these  advantages  the  one  crop  system  has  failed, 
not  alone  in  the  South  with  cotton,  but  in  the  Central  States  with 
corn,  and  in  the  North  and  Northwest  with  wheat.  Some  of  the 
factors  making  for  this  failure  have  been  successive  poor  crops  or 
prolonged  low  prices,  crop  diseases,  ravages  of  crop  pests,  such  as  the 
boll  weevil,  and  depletion  of  soil  fertility  due  to  lack  of  rotation. 
Furthermore,  in  all  sections  of  the  country,  paralleling  the  failure 
of  the  one  crop  system,  there  has  been  a  marked  success  for  the 
diversification  of  crops  method  of  farming.  The  following  article 
dealing  with  this  subject  is  quoted  from  The  Literary  Digest  of 
March  25,  1922: 

"The  richest  sections  of  the  country  are  not  those  that  depend  on 
a  single  crop,  such  as  wheat  or  cotton.  Specialized  crops,  such  as 
fruit,  tobacco,  or  even  potatoes,  and  the  dairy  and  poultry  indus- 
tries, figure  very  largely  in  the  counties  where  agricultural  wealth 
is  highest.  Census  figures,  on  which  these  statements  are  based,  bear 
out  the  wisdom  of  campaigns  to  bring  out  diversified  agriculture, 
according  to  Andrew  L.  Bostwick,  Statistician  of  the  Liberty  Central 
Trust  Company  of  St.  Louis,  who  says : 

"  'Of  the  leading  ten  counties  seven  are  in  the  Pacific  States  (Cali- 
fornia and  Washington),  one  is  in  the  Middle  West,  and  two  are  in 
the  East.  Los  Angeles  County,  California,  with  a  total  of  nearly 
$72,000,000,  comes  first,  and  Fresno  County,  in  the  same  state,  is 
second.  Fruit,  of  course,  is  largely  responsible  for  the  enormous 
agricultural  values  in  these  regions. 

"  'Third  on  the  list  comes  Aroostook  County,  Maine.  In  value  of 
crops  alone  this  county  ranks  second  in  the  United  States,  and  by 
far  the  greatest  part  of  the  value  represents  potatoes.  Lancaster 
County,  Pa.,  the  other  Eastern  county  in  the  first  ten,  comes  fifth ; 
tobacco,  in  addition  to  hay  and  grain  crops,  is  responsible  for  the 
high  rank.  Dane  County.  Wisconsin,  is  the  highest  Middle  West 
county  on  the  list,  being  tenth.  Dairying  is  very  important ;  in  value 
of  crops  alone  this  county  ranks  not  tenth,  but  twenty-fifth. 

"  'The  richest  Illinois  county  is  McLean,  the  eleventh.  The  richest 
one-crop  county,  and  also  the  richest  county  in  the  cotton  licit  proper 
is  Bolivar,  Mississippi,  in  the  famous  'delta'  section. 

"  'It  is  interesting  to  note  that  of  the  fifty  leaders  scarcely  more 
than  a  dozen  belong  to  the  cotton  belt.     If  crops  alone  were  con- 


86       Chestekfield  County  :  Economic  and   Social 

sidered,  without  live  stock  products,  the  result  would  probably  be 
more  favorable  to  the   South. 

"  'In  a  number  of  instances  the  dairy  industry  has  raised  individual 
counties  to  high  standing  in  value  of  farm  products.  St.  Lawrence 
County,  N.  Y.,  ranks  lOSth  in  value  of  crops  alone,  but  in  the  crop 
and  live  stock  products  list  it  stands  fourteenth.  The  poultry  and 
egg  industry  of  Sonoma  County,  near  San  Francisco,  is  the  cause 
of  that  county's  rank  of  eighth  in  the  final  list ;  in  value  of  crops 
alone  it  stantls  forty-second. 

"  'On  the  whole,  the  statistics  as  given  present  a  rather  strong 
argument  for  a  diversified  agriculture,  with  attention  to  dairying 
and  to  such  specialized  crops  as  the  land  and  climate  may  permit'." 

Chesterfield  County  has  long  been  guilty  of  depending  almost 
entirely  on  cotton.  That  this  is  done  is  in  no  wise  due  to  necessity, 
for  there  are  quite  a  number  of  crops  that  are  adapted  to  our  soils 
and  climate.  When  other  sections  of  the  country  changed  from  one 
crop  to  several,  they  found  it  profitable.  Where  other  sections  stuck 
to  one  crop  they  failed  to  prosper.  There  is  nothing  to  indicate  that 
Chesterfield  can  prove  to  be  an  exception  to  the  general  rule.  The 
task  that  seems  to  be  between  Chesterfield  County  and  wealth  is  that 
of  overthrowing  the  deep-rooted  one-crop  system  and  introducing 
diversification.  When  this  is  done  Chesterfield  will  be  removed 
from  the  ranks  of  the  cotton  cursed. 

Cooperative  Marketing 

Wherever  goods  of  any  kind  are  produced  there  is  always  the  prob- 
lem of  disi)osing  of  them.  In  the  case  of  novelties  or  non-essentials 
this  is  often  a  very  vital  matter  because  the  demand  for  such  articles 
fluctuates  greatly  from  time  to  time.  However,  for  staple  products 
that  have  a  universal  use,  there  is  a  constant  and  continuous  need 
a!)'l  consequently  a  more  uniform  price.  Wheat  and  cotton  are 
e^aml)!9S  of  commodities  that  are  necessities  in  the  true  sense  of  the 
word.  Since  cotton  is  at  present  the  mainspring  in  Chesterfield 
County's  economic  works,  it  is  well  to  study  the  best  methods  of 
wiling  it. 

The  old  pi-;iclic('  of  h;in<lliiig  cotlon  for  tlio  market  was  for  the 
farmers  to  soil  their  crop  as  soon  as  it  was  ginned.  The  result  was 
as  might  have  been  expected.  About  70X  of  the  entire  year's  crop 
was  sold  during  September,  October,  November,  and  December.  This 
(lumping  of  such  an  enormous  quantit.v  of  the  staple  in  so  short  a 
jieriod  glutted  the  market.  The  price  declined  and  the  growers  had 
to  take  what  was  o('f'ere<l.  because  obligations  incurred  in  making  the 
cr<»i)  were  falling  due  and  bad  to  be  met.  The  middlemen  took  over 
the  cntlnii  ;il  "distress"  iiriccs,  doled  it  (»ul  in  even  (|nantilies  through- 


Chesterfield  Cointv:  Economic  and  Social        87 

(lilt  the  yt'iir  at  niiu-li  hi^'hor  lii^urt's  iiii<l  iidckctcd  the  profit.  In 
smli  a  j,'anu'  the  (xlds  were  all  against  the  fanner,  lie  wa.s  ohlified 
to  sell  ill  the  fall  in  order  to  pay  his  debts.  His  attention  was 
directed  solely  towards  planting  and  cultivating  and  he  knew  noth- 
ing about  grading  hi.s  product,  the  market  quotations,  financial  and 
trade  conditions,  or  the  world's  consumption  of  cotton  goods,  the 
reserve  su]ti)ly  of  the  raw  material,  and  the  many  other  jKiiiits  of 
information  that  are  the  stock  in  trade  of  the  middlemen.  Isolated 
cases  of  holding  for  better  prices  were  not  so  successful  because 
practically  all  the  supply  had  already  been  bought  at  low  prices  and 
because  the  speculatoi's  could  still  buy  cheaj)  futures  from  the 
unorganized  and  helpless  farmers. 

Instances  without  number  might  be  citetl  to  show  that  such  a 
system  is  both  unjust  and  highly  injurious  to  the  planter.  Space 
limitations  will  permit  only  a  few  illustrations  here. 

That  violent  price  fliictuatiims  are  bound  to  be  harmful  cannot 
be  doubted.  It  is  on  record  that  in  1903-04  cotton  fell  from  about 
ISVaC  to  61/jC  in  lOOi-OS;  in  1904-05  it  rose  from  614c  to  about  10c; 
in  1906-07  it  fell  from  12c  to  81/20;  it  rose  to  12c  later  in  the  same 
year;  it  rose  to  15c  in  1909-10;  it  fell  to  Sy^c  in  1911-12.  Not  only 
does  cotton  rise  and  fall  in  value  during  short  intervals  but  in  an 
official  investigation  made  several  years  ago  by  the  Bureau  of  Mar- 
kets of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  it  was  fcmnd 
that  there  was  a  difference  of  from  ,$2  to  $12.50,  or  even  more,  per 
bale  for  different  bales  of  cotton  of  the  same  grade  sold  in  the  same 
market  on  the  same  day.  For  instance,  in  Raleigh,  N.  C,  there  was 
a  difference  of  $5  in  the  price  paid  for  two  bales  of  the  same  grade 
and  weight :  in  Starkville,  Miss.,  the  difference  was  $1.3.25 ;  in  Jewett, 
Texas,  tliere  was  a  difference  of  $12.50;  an  Oklahoma  town  showed 
a  difference  of  $14.95;  in  St.  Matthew.s,  South  Carolina,  the  differ- 
ence was  $10.30. 

The  cooi)erative  marketing  phui  has  for  its  object  the  elimination 
of  the  defects  existing  under  the  old  system.  By  contracting  with  the 
growers  for  the  control  of  their  cotton  after  it  is  grown,  the  coopera- 
tive sales  agency  is  in  a  position  to  distribute  the  sales  over  a  long 
period  of  time,  thus  avoiding  flooding  the  market  and  depressing  the 
price.  With  proper  grading  the  farmers  will  get  equitable  i)rices  for 
their  protluct.  The  cooperative  association,  by  handling  such  large 
quantities  of  cotton,  is  enabled  to  employ  expert  selling  agents  who 
are  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  market  and  trade  conditions.  By 
selling  direct,  some  expenses  due  to  unnecessary  handling  may  be 
avoided.  The  association,  having  good  credit,  can  use  modern,  scien- 
tific financing  methods.  Such  steps  mean  that  the  handling  of  the 
cotton  as  it  passes  through  the  various  stages  between  the  grower 


88        Chesterfield  County  :  Economic  and  Social 

and  the  consumer  will  be  more  efficiently  done  than  formerly.  The 
profits  made  will  then  be  turned  back  to  the  rightful  owners,  the 
farmers.  That  will  mean  that  the  fortunes  formerly  made  by  the 
farmers  but  taken  by  the  cotton  brokers  and  other  middlemen,  will 
henceforth  be  made  by  and  paid  to  the  farmers  alone. 

Quite  recently  the  cooperative  marketing  idea  has  been  introduced 
into  Chesterfield  County  and  we  are  informed  that  already  the 
farmers  have  contracted  to  sell  a  large  proportion  of  their  next  year's 
crop  through  the  Cotton  Association.  We  predict  success  for  the 
movement.  It  is  well  to  bear  in  mind,  however,  that  the  best  results 
can  be  obtained  only  through  a  strong  organization.  This  means  that 
the  members  must  be  loyal  to  the  association  and  all  abide  by  their 
contracts.  To  meet  overhead  expenses  of  the  organization,  and  to 
be  most  effective  generally,  a  large  volume  of  business  must  be  done 
by  the  association.  Thus  it  is  to  the  interest  of  the  members  to  sell 
all  their  own  cotton  through  the  association  and  to  bring  in  other 
members  as  well. 

Looking  Ahead 

Reviewing  the  progress  made  by  this  county  during  the  past  twenty 
years,  we  cannot  but  be  impressed  by  the  remarkable  developments 
shown.  But  judging  impartially  our  position  in  the  State,  we  are 
forced  to  the  conclusion  that  Chesterfield  has  not  yet  achieved  a 
place  among  the  leading  counties.  An  analysis  of  our  resources  and 
possibilities  reveals  limitless  opportunities  for  expansion  and  im- 
provements. Our  soils  and  climate  are  suited  to  the  growing  of  fruit, 
as  well  as  truck  and  various  staple  crops.  It  would  not  be  surpris- 
ing if  in  time  Chesterfield  peaches  should  not  rival  California  oranges 
in  public  favor.  Highway  building,  diversified  farming,  ana  coopera- 
tive marketing  are  just  getting  luuler  way.  Infant  industries  are 
increasing  and  beginning  to  fiourish.  Education  is  coming  from 
behind  at  a  rapid  pace. 

The  carrying  forward  of  these  varied  activities  (o  their  maximum 
development  will  call  for  no  small  amount  of  ability.  Intelligent, 
persistent,  and  well-directed  work  will  be  requircnl.  Solving  the 
problems  connected  with  future  advancement  c<mstitutes  the  job  of 
this  generation. 


REFERENCES 


Gregg's  "History   of  the   Old   Cheraws." 

Report  of  the  Provost  Marshal  General  on  the  First  Draft  under 
the  Selective  Service  Act. 

Mills'  "Statistics." 

Sherman's  "Memoirs." 

United  States  Census  Reports. 

"Soil  Survey  of  Chesterfield  County,"  Bureau  of  Soils,  U.  S.  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture. 

"Timber  Depletion,  Lumber  Pieces,  Lumber  Exports  and  Concentra- 
tion of  Timber  Ownership,"  issued  June  1,  1920,  by  The  Forest 
Service,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture. 

State  Commissioner  of  Agriculture,  Commerce  and  Industries  Re- 
ports. 

Reports  of  the  Bureau  of  Markets  and  Crop  Estimates  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture. 

"Does  it  Pay?"  a  pamphlet  issued  in  191S  by  S.  C.  Council  of 
Defense. 

Reports  of  the  State  Tax  Commission. 

The  Literary  Digest  of  March  25,  1922. 

"Catalogue  of  the  Mineral  Localities  of  South  Carolina,"  issued 
1907  by  the  State  Geologist. 

Watson's  "Handbook  of  South  Carolina." 

Farmers'   Bulletins,   issued  by   U.    S.   Department  of  Agriculture. 

Bureau  of  Vital  Statistics,  U.  S.  Census  Report  on  Religious  Bodies, 
issued  1916,  U.  S.  Census. 

Reports  of  State  Superintendent  of  Education. 

Reports  of  State  Comptroller  General. 

Other  reference  works  found  in  the  laboratory  of  the  Department 
of  Rural  Social  Science,  University  of  South  Carolina. 


I  CAPITAL $50,000,00 

m 

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I  SURPLUS $17,500.00 


OLDEST,  LARGEST  ANO  STRONGEST  BANK  IN 
GHESTERFIELO,  S.  G. 


R.  E.  RIVERS,  President  M.  I.  HOUGH,  VicePres. 

C.  C.  DOUGLASS.  Cashier  D.  L.  SMITH,  Asst.  Cashier 

R.  T.  REDFERN,  Ir.,  Teller 


fei  m 

I   Bank  of  Chesterfield 

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Physicians'  Prescriptions      | 

carefully  and  accurately  compounded.  Service  day      m 

§ 
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and  night.  Reasonable  prices,  courteous  treatment,      m 


Chesterfield,  S.  C. 


LUCAS  AUTO  CO. 

Chesterfield,  S.  C. 


The  Garage  of  Service.  All  cars,  trucks  and  tractors 
repaired.  Sales  and  Service  on  FORD,  DORT, 
WILLYS  KNIGHT  and  OVERLAND   CARS. 


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Chesterfield  Drug  Co. 


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Jefferson  Loan   &  Insurance   Co, 


Jefferson,   South  Carolina 


SEE  US  FOR  INSURANCE 


THE  FARMERS  BANK 

JEFFERSON,  SOUTH  CAROLINA 


C.  C.  DOUGLASS.  President 

E.  R.  KNIGHT.  Vice-Pres.  ED.  J.  MILLER.   Vice-P,es. 

D.  H.  DOUGLASS.  Cashier 


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IVe  Welcome  an  Opporlunify  to  Serve  You    I 


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1 


THE  JEFFERSON  BANK 

JEFFERSON.  S.  C. 

The  Bank  that  stands  squarely  behind  the  farmer. 

Our  interests  arc  the  same.  We  want  an  account 
from  ever}'  farmer  in  thi.s  vicinity. 

The  small  depositor  receives  the  same  consider- 
ation at  our  hands  as  does  the  large.  If  you  have  no 
account  with  us,  we  want  you  to  start  one.  Can- 
celled checks  are  the  best  receipts. 

Should  you  have  money  that  you  do  not  expect 
to  use  at  once  place  it  with  us  and  we  will  pay  you  in- 
terest on  it. 

We  solicit  the  accounts  of  individuals,  merchants 
and  farmers. 

1801-1922 

University  of  South  Carolina 


FOR  INFORMATION.  WRITE 

DR.  W.  S.  CURRELL.   President 

COLUMBIA,  S.  C. 


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g  Columbia,  S.  C.  ^ 

N  .    .  .  - 

g      The  University  offers  courses  leading  to  the  following  degrees: 

m 

S!  I .  School  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  A.  B.,  and  B.  S. 

2.  School  of  Education,  A.  B. 

3.  Graduate  School,  A.  M. 
I               4.  School  of  Engineering,  C.  E. 

g  5.  Schoo  of  Law,  LL.  B.,  3  year  course,  5  Professors. 

i{  6.  School  of  Business  Administration. 

Next  Session  Begins  September  20,    1922 


i!lIlS]gMS)SllMlEl»yHiiHjKlIl®l«MSS!lilli;a®S!ll^^ 


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I    IVe  invite  you  to:  i 


Make  your  home  in  McBee. 
Get  you  a  fruit  farm  near  McBee. 
Make  you  a  fortune  in  fruit  at  McBee. 

Best  climate  in  the  United  States. 
Everybody  who  comes  here  stays  and 
All  that  leave  come  back. 

McBee  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


The   State   Bank 

McBee,  S.  C. 

IN  THE  HEART  OF  THE 
CAROLINA  FRUIT  HILLS. 


President  Vice-President  Cashier  Asst.  Cashier 

R.  B.  Kin^  J.  D.  Ingram  F.  E.  Kerr  D.  A.  Kinf? 


raj 

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DEPOSIT  YOUR  MONEY  IN 

CHERAW 


THREE  STRONG  BANKS 


I  Members  of  Federal  Reserve  System 


Bank  of  Gheraw 
First  National  Banl( 


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Mercliants  &  Farmers  Bani( 


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H.  W.  DUVALL 

CHERAW,  S.  C.  I 


COTTON 


The  Bank  of  Mt.  Croghan 

Mt.  Croghan,    S.  C. 
Capital  and  Surplus  $30,000.00 

It  is  unsafe  to  carry  money  on  your  person,  or  keep  it  in  your 
home. 

Deposit  your  money  with  us  and  pay  by  check. 

A  check  is  the  best  receipt. 

One  Minute  and  One  Dollar  starts  an  account. 


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I  Wholesale  Groceries — 


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Kennington's  Pharmacy 

PAGELAND,  RUBY  AND  JEFFERSON,  S.  C. 
G.W.KENNINGTON,  Jr.,  Ph.  G.,  Ph.  C,  Owner 

THE  STORE  THAT  SERVICE  BUILT 


We  are  always  pleased  to  serve  you, 
day  or  ni^ht. 

One   price   to    all    and    we    guarantee    i 
everything  we  sell,  if  you    are    not    pleased 
come  back   and    get   your   money,  we   will 
thank  you  to  take  it.  | 

Prescriptions  are  filled  by  graduate 
licensed  pharmacists  at  each  store. 

We  have  a  full  line  of  drugs,  candies, 
toilet  goods,  kodaks  and  stationery. 

WE  APPRECIATE  YOUR  BUSINESS 

The  Store  With  a  Conscience 

1 


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i  L.  L.  PARKER,  President. 

®  C.  G.  MORGAN,  Cashier. 

I  U.  F.  MOORE,  Asst.  Cashier. 

§ 

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IS 


THE  BANK  OF  PAGELAND 

PAGELAND,  S.  C.  i 

Capital  Stock $  50,000.00 

Resources $500,000.00 

In  the  protection  that  Ave  afford  our  customers, 
and  in  the  service  that  we  render  we  strive  to  make 
this  a  "100  per  cent  bank." 


GLEAN,  COMFORTABLE  ROOMS-EXCELLENT 
HOME  COOKED  MEALS 

Our  rates  were  $2.00  per  day  before  the  war,  $2.00 

during  the  war,  and  are  $2.00  now. 

THE  HOME  OP  THE  TRAVELING  SALESMAN. 

HOTEL  PAGELAND 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Blackwell,  Prop. 

We    have    the    most    modernly    equipped    gin    in    Chester- 
field    County.      During     Ginning     season     we     gin     every 
(hiy  and  night,  because  we  liave  ginning  to  do. 
Highest  Market  Prices  Paid  For  Seed  Every  Day  In 
The  Year. 

J.  E.  AGERTON. 

Pageland,  S.  0. 

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The  Pageland  Journal 

The  Paper  that  brings  results  for  the  advertiser. 
Advertising  pays  if  done  in  the  right  paper  and  the 
PAGELAND  JOURNAL  is  the  right  paper. 


I  ROBERT  S.  LATIMER 

E(lit(»i'  and  I'uhlislier 


I  Ford  Dealer-Ford  Trucks  and  Fordson's  Tractors 

Ford  Parts  and  Accessories 

H.  B.  REDFEARN 


m  PAGELAND,  S-   C. 


Deico  Electric  Light  Plants  and  Water  Systems 

Electric  Fixtures,  Fans  and  Motors 


Funderburk  Electric  Service  Co. 

i  PAGELAND,  S-   C. 


C.  B.  MUNGO,  President. 

G.  C.  MUNGO,  Vice  Pres.  &  Trader. 

H.  V.  MUNGO.  Sec.  Treas.  &  Gen.  Mgr. 

MUNGO  BROTHERS 

Wholesale  and  retail  Dealers  in  Dry  Goods,  Clothing, 

Millinery,  Heavy  and  Fancy  Groceries,  Cotton,  Cot-  ^ 

ton  Seed  and  Live  Stock.  ii 

Telephone  No.  16.  Pageland,  S.  C.  f 

„  _  ___       „___  M 


raii][Hii!§ii]l}i!illliil][i!iIlHllllg!lHl!lS[l!l[l!SlHll^ 

'the  CATO  CO. 

General  Merchandise 


A  Satisfied   Customer    is 
a  Store's  Greatest  Delight 

WE  HAVE  THEM 

Cash  Merchants  Sell  for  Less 

Pageland,  S.  C. 


Our  Business  Is  y^^-^^-^i^;^:^^^'  certain  you  wju 

have  a  monthly  income  should  you  be- 
come totally  disabled, — you  will  have  a  support  in  your  old  age, 
and  after  you  are  gone  your  loved  ones  won't  wan{  and  be  de- 
pendent. 

We  write  all  kinds  of  insurance,  Real  Estate,  Rents,  Loans. 

DUKE  INSURANCE  AND  CONMISSIDN  COMPANY 
Chas.  M.  Duke,  Pres.  &  Mgr.  Pageland,  S.  C. 

Pageland  Insurance  and  Realty  Go.  paseiand,s.c. 


SOLICITS! 
NEGOTIATES! 


Life  Insurance 

Fire  Insurance 

Automobile  Insurance 

Hail  Insurance 

Health  and  Accident  Insurance 


Loans  on  Real  Estate 
Sales  of  Real  Estate 
Purchases  of  Real  Estate 


L.  L.  PARKER,  President  J.  S.  WALLACE,  Manager 


H® 


gji)iiiiiii[as]i]H!Hii][H!si]®agM^[s»p[aM[iii®i® 

EUBANKS  AND  FUNDERBURK 

Contractors  and  Builders 

Pageland,  S.  C. 

I     All  Kinds  of  Construction  Work,   Brick  or   Wood. 

m 
m 
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i 


i 


MOORE  &  MUNGO 

DEALERS  IN 

T)ry  Goods,  Shoes,  Heavy  and  Fancy  Qroceries, 
Fruits  and  Candies. 

Pageland,  S.  C. 


New  Superior  Chevrolet  is  a 
Wonder 


The  secoud  largest  in 
production  in  the  world, 
and  {^rowing  amaziniil.v. 
Many  new  improvements 
make  this  the  car  you  will 
want.  See  it  and  be  con- 
vinced. 

PAGELAND  MOTOR  CO. 

Pageland.   S.   C. 
Agents      for      Chesterficdd 
County. 


SMITH-BAKER 
COMPANY 

Dealers  in 

Dry  Goods,  Shoes  and 

Notions.     Heavy     and 

Fancy    Groceries. 

Country     Produce 
Bought   and   Sold. 

PAGELAND,  S,  G. 


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TNTVERSITY  of  CALlbOKWU. 

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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


REC'D  LD-URL 

mum 


Form  L9-42rK-8,'49(B5573)444 


HC 


Tbal  - 


108         Chesterfield 
C42I2     county,   econont-l 


ic 

and   social.    ■■ 

BINPPRY      1                          1 

HC 

108 

CU2T2 

L  006  376  682  8 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A 


AA    001  171  292   4 


* 


